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copy^i JHAKESPEARE^S 



ANTOM AMD CLEOPATRA 



With Introduction and Noted 

BY 

MARGARET A. EATON, B. A* 



EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY 

BOSTON 
New York Chicago San Francisco 






Copyrighted 

By educational PUBLISHING COMPANY 

1908 



LI5RARYof€ONG'RESS 
Tv.'O CoDi*p<^ Received 

JUN 28»ttU9 

CLASS ^^ >^"^<^ No. 

:2^ o / 2^/ 



hTts 



I 



CONTENTS 



Page 

Introduction i 

Dramatis Personae lo 

Antony and Cleopatra ii 

Notes 133 

3 



ii 



INTRODUCTION 



CHIEF FACTS OF SHAKESPEARE^S LIFE. 

The date of Shakespeare's birth is not known, but, 
according to tradition, he was bom April 2^, 1564, in 
the town of Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England. 
Very little is known w^ith certainty concerning his life, 
and he tells us less about himself in his work than almost 
any other writer. 

His father was a well-to-do tradesman and his mother 
was Mary Arden, who had a small estate in land. Their 
son William was sent to the grammar school of Stratford, 
where he received a fair education, although hardly of 
such a kind as his plays would lead us to suppose. He 
may have learned a little law from his uncle, who was a 
lawyer in the town, but we know next to nothing about 
his youthful days. 

Shortly after his marriage to Anne Hathaway he is 
said to have been reprimanded for poaching on the 
estate of Sir Thomas Lucy, an episode which he after- 
ward immortalized, and this fact, with his father's loss 
of fortune, induced him to set out for London to make 
his own way in life. 

Possibly he may have seen some of the plays and 
pageants given at Kenilworth Castle during his boyhood, 
and cherished a secret liking for the stage. At all events, 
he soon found friends among the London actors and 
before long became an actor himself and the proprietor 
of a theatre in Blackfriars. 

His fame as a playwright soon eclipsed his reputation 
as an actor, and he seemed equally great in tragedy, 

5 



6 INTRODUCTION 

comedy, or historical drama. During his life in London 
he produced about thirty -six plays, of which the following 
are the chief: 

Tragedies: Hamlet, Macbeth, Lear, Othello, Romeo 
and Juliet. 

Comedies: Tempest, Merchant of Venice, Midsummer 
Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, Much 
Ado About Nothing, The Winter's Tale, Cymbeline. 

Historical: Henry VL, Richard II., Richard III., 
Henry IV., Henry V., Henry VIIL, Coriolanus, Julius 
Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra. 

He also wrote two long poems and some of the most 
beautiful sonnets in the language. 

In 1610 he returned to his native town, where he lived 
until his death six years later. His grave is in Trinity 
Church, Stratford -on -Avon, 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 

Antony and Cleopatra is the work of Shakespeare's 
maturer years, and by many critics is considered one of 
his greatest plays. Although, historically, it is closely 
connected with Julius Ccesar it bears little resemblance 
to that play in treatment or characterization. Like the 
Iliad, it is based on no great heroic motive, but, also like 
the Iliad, the characters are so transcendently portrayed, 
the style is so swift and brilliant, that the ordinary 
standards of criticism hardly apply. 

The play was written in 1607 or 1608, not long after 
the writing of Macbeth, and it is based, as are the other 
Roman plays of Shakespeare, on North's familiar trans- 
lation of Plutarch. Indeed, for his facts Shakespeare 
has followed Plutarch so closely that it is not necessary 
to give the story here, although it is well to recall what 
took place between the overthrow of Julius Caesar and 
the situation of affairs as we find them here. 

Julius Ccesar ends with the overthrow of Brutus and 
Cassius at the battle of Philippi. After that event, 



INTRODUCTION 7 

Octavius Caesar, Antony, and Lepidus found themselves 
masters of the Roman Empire, which they portioned 
among themselves. Antony took as his share the prov- 
inces in the East and proceeded against the Parthians, 
who were then in revolt. On his way thither he sum- 
moned Cleopatra to a conference in Cilicia, for she had 
given aid to Brutus and Cassius and so won the enmity 
of Augustus. The result of this conference on the river 
Cydmus is described in the play. Antony followed 
Cleopatra to Alexandria and abandoned himself to the 
pleasures of the Egyptian court. Here we find him 
when the play opens. 



CRITICAL COMMENTS. 

Of all Shakespeare's historical plays, Antony and Cleo- 
patra is by far the most powerful. There is not one in 
which he has followed history so minutely, and yet there 
are few in which he impresses the notion of angelic 
strength so much — perhaps none in which he impresses 
it more strongly. This is greatly owing to the manner 
in which the fiery force is sustained throughout, and to 
the numerous momentary flashes of nature counteracting 
the historic attractions. As a wonderful specimen of 
the way in which Shakespeare lives up to the very end 
of this play, read the last part of the concluding scene. 

— Coleridge. 



But independently of any other indications, it is cer- 
tain that the ripe maturity of poetic mind pervades the 
whole tone of the tragedy, the diction, imagery, char- 
acters, thoughts. It exhibits itself everywhere, in a copi- 
ous and varied magnificence; as from a mind and mem- 
ory stored with the treasures acquired in its own past 
intellectual efforts, as well as with the knowledge of life 
and books, from all which the dramatic muse (to borrow 



8 INTRODUCTION 

the Oriental imagery which Milton has himself drawn 
from this very tragedy), like 

*'The gorgeous East, with liberal hand, 
Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold.'* 

Its poetry has an autumnal richness, such as can 
succeed only to the vernal luxuriance of genius, or its 
fiercer midsummer glow. We need no other proof than 
that which its own abundance affords, that this tragedy 
is the rich product of a mind where, as in Mark Antony's 
own Egypt, his 

"Nilus had swelled high," 
and 

*'When it ebb'd, the seedsmen 
Upon its slime and ooze scatter'd his grain, 
Which shortly came to harvest." 

— Verplanck. 

It is marked beyond any other (play) by a super- 
abundance of external workmanship, such as needs oft 
repeated and most careful perusal to bring out full upon 
the mind's eye. The great number and variety of 
events crowded together in it, the rapidity with which 
they pass before us, and, consequently, the frequent 
changes of scene, hold curiosity on the stretch, and 
somewhat overfill the mind with sensuous effect, so as 
for a long time to distract and divert the thoughts from 
those subtleties of characterization and delicacies of 
poetry which everywhere accompany them. . . . 

As regards the hero and heroine, it is a noteworthy 
point how little we feel or think of any moral or immoral 
quality in their doings. In their intoxication of empire, 
of self-aggrandizement, and of mutual passion, they 
fairly overshoot the whole region of duty and obligation. 
To themselves and to each other, they are simply gods; 
as such, their freedom is absolute; they transcend all 
relative measures and know no centre or source of law 



INTRODUCTION 9 

outside of their own personality: their own wills are 
their ultimate reason, their supreme law; the moral 
gravitation of the world having, as it were, no hold upon 
them, nor any right to control them. — Hudson, 

Of all Shakespeare's female characters, Miranda and 
Cleopatra appear to me most wonderful: the first un- 
equalled as a poetic conception; the latter, miraculous 
as a work of art. If we could make a regular classifica- 
tion of his characters, these would form the two extremes 
of simplicity and complexity; and all his other characters 
would be found to fill up some shade or gradation be- 
tween these two. . . . 

I have not the slightest doubt that Shakespeare's 
Cleopatra is the real historical Cleopatra — the "rare 
Egyptian" — individualized and placed before us. Her 
mental accomplishments, her unequalled grace, her 
woman's wit and woman's wiles, her irresistible allure- 
ments, her starts of irregular grandeur, her bursts of 
ungovernable temper, her vivacity of imagination, her 
petulant caprice, her fickleness and her falsehood, her 
tenderness and her truth, her childish susceptibility to 
flattery, her magnificent spirit, her royal pride, the 
gorgeous Eastern coloring of her character: all these 
contradictory elements has Shakespeare seized, mingled 
them in their extremes, and focused them into one 
brilliant impersonation of classical elegance. Oriental 
voluptuousness, and gypsy sorcery. — Mrs. Jameson. 



DRAMATIS PERSONS. 



>- Triumvirs. 



Mark Antony. 

OCTAVIUS CiESAR. 

M. ^MiLius Lepidus. 
Sextus Pompeius. 
DoMiTius Enobarbus. 
Ventidius. Eros. 

ScARUs. Dercetas. 

Demetrius. Philo. 
Mec^nas. Agrippa. 

DOLABELLA. PrOCULEIUS, 

Thyreus. Gallus. 

.Menas. 

Menecrates. 

Varrius. 

Taurus, lieutenant-general to Caesar. 

Canidius, lieutenant-general to Antony. 

SiLius, an officer in Ventidius's army. 

Euphronius, an ambassador from Antony to Caesar. 

Alexas. 



Friends to Antony. 
> Friends to Caesar. 



Friends to Pompey. 



Mardian, a Eunuch. 
Seleucus. 

DiOMEDES. 

A Soothsayer. 
A Clown. 



> Attendants on Cleopatra, 



Cleopatra, queen of Egypt. 

OcTAViA, sister to Caesar and wife to Antony. 

J ' \ Attendants on Cleopati 



:ra. 



Iras. j 

Officers, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants, 



Scene: In several^arts of the Roman Empire. 

lO 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 



ACT I. 

Scene I. Alexandria. A room in Cleopatra's 

palace. 

Enter Demetrius and Philo. 

Phi, Nay, but this dotage of our general's 
O'erfiows the measure: those his goodly eyes, 
That o'er the files and musters of the war 
Have glow'd like plated Mars, now bend, now turn, 
The office and devotion of their view 5 

Upon a tawny front: his captain's heart, 
Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst 
The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper. 
And is become the bellows and the fan 
To cool a gipsy's lust. 

Flourish. Enter Antony, Cleopatra, her Ladies, 
the Train, with Eunuchs fanning her. 

Look, where they come: lo 

Take but good note, and you shall see in him 
The triple pillar of the world transform'd 
Into a strumpet's fool: behold and see. 

II 



12 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Cleo, If it be love indeed, tell me how much. 
AnL There's beggary in the love that can be 

reckoned. 15 

Cleo. I '11 set a bourn how far to be beloved. 
Ant. Then must thou needs find out new heaven, 

new earth. 

Enter an Attendant. 

Att, News, my good lord, from Rome. 

Ant. Grates me: the sum. 

Cleo. Nay, hear them, Antony: 
Fulvia perchance is angry; or, who knows 20 

If the scarce-bearded Csesar have not sent 
His powerful mandate to you, *'Do this, or this; 
Take in that kingdom, and enfranchise that; 
Perform't, or else we damn thee.'' 

Ant. How, my love! 

Cleo. Perchance! nay, and most like: 25 

You must not stay here longer, your dismission 
Is come from Caesar; therefore hear it, Antony. 
Where's Fulvia 's process? Caesar's I would say? 

both? 
Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt's queen. 
Thou blushest, Antony; and that blood of thine 30 
Is Caesar's homager: else so thy cheek pays shame 
When shrill- tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers! 

Ant. Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch 
Of the ranged empire fall! Here is my space. 
Kingdoms are clay: our durigy earth alike 35 

Feeds beast as man: the nobleness of life 
Is to do thus; when such a mutual pair [Embracing. 
And such a twain can do 't, in which I bind, 
On pain of punishment, the world to weet 
We stand up peerless. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 13 

Cleo, Excellent falsehood! 40 

Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her? 
I'll seem the fool I am not; Antony 
Will be himself. 

Ant. But stirr'd by Cleopatra. 

Now, for the love of Love and her soft hours, 
Let's not confound the time with conference harsh: 
There's not a minute of our lives should stietch 46 
Without some pleasure now. What sport to-night ? 

Cleo, Hear the ambassadors. 

AnL Fie, wrangling queen! 

Whom every thing becomes, to chide to laugh. 
To weep; whose every passion fully strives 50 

To make itself, in thee, fair and admired! 
No messenger, but thine; and all alone 
To-night we'll wander through the streets and note 
The qualities of people. Come, my queen; 
Last night you did desire it: speak not to us. 55 
[Exeunt Ant. and Cleg, with their train, 

Dem. Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight? 

Phi, Sir, sometimes, when he is not Antony, 
He comes too short of that great property 
Which still should go with Antony. 

Dem, I am full sorry 

That he approves the common liar, who 60 

Thus speaks of him at Rome: but I will hope 
Of better deeds to-morrow. Rest you happy! 

[Exeunt, 

Scene II. The same. Another room. 

Enter Charmian, Iras, Alexas, and a Soothsayer. 

Char, Lord Alexas, sweet Alexas, most any thing 
Alexas, almost most absolute Alexas, where 's the 
soothsayer that you praised so to the queen ? 



14 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Alex. Soothsayer! 

Sooth, Your will ? 5 

Char. Is this the man? Is't you, sir, that know 
things ? 

Sooth. In nature's infinite book of secrecy 

A little I can read. 

Alex. Show him your hand. t 

Enter Enobarbus. 

Eno. Bring in the banquet quickly; wine enough 
Cleopatra's health to drink. n 

Char. Good sir, give me good fortune. 

Sooth. I make not, but foresee. 

Char. Pray, then, foresee me one. 

Sooth. You shall be yet far fairer than you are. 

Char. He means in flesh. i6 

Iras. No, you shall paint when you are old. 

Char. Wrinkles forbid! 

Alex. Vex not his prescience; be attentive. 

Char. Hush! 20 

Sooth. You shall be more loving than beloved. 

Char. I had rather heat my liver with drinking. 

Alex. Nay, hear him. 

Char. Good now, some excellent fortune! Let 
me be married to three kings in a forenoon, and 
widow them all: let me have a child at fifty, to whom 
Herod of Jewry may do homage: find me to marry 
me with Octavius Caesar, and companion me with 
my mistress. 29 

Sooth. You shall outlive the lady whom you serve. 

Char. O excellent! I love long life better than 
figs. 

Sooth. You have seen and proved a fairer former 
fortune 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 15 

Than that which is to approach. 34 

Char. Then belike my children shall have no 
names: prithee, how many boys and wenches must 
I have? 

Sooth, If every of your wishes had a womb, 
And fertile every wish, a million. 

Char. Out, fool! I forgive thee for a witch. 
Nay, come, tell Iras hers. 41 

Alex, We'll know all our fortunes. 

Eno, Mine, and most of our fortunes, to-night, 
shall be — drunk to bed. 

Iras. There 's a palm presages chastity, if nothing 
else. 45 

Char. E'en as the overflowing Nilus presageth 
famine. 

Iras, Go, you wild bedfellow, you cannot sooth- 
say. 

Char. Nay, if an oily palm be not a fruitful prog- 
nostication, I cannot scratch mine ear. Prithee, 
tell her but a worky-day fortune. 50 

Sooth, Your fortunes are alike. 

Iras. But how, but how? give me particulars. 

Sooth. I have said. 

Iras. Am I not an inch of fortune better than she ? 

Char, Our worser thoughts heavens mend! 
Alexas — come, his fortune, his fortune! O, let 
him marry a woman that cannot go, sweet Isis, I 
beseech thee! and let her die, too, and give him a 
worse! and let worse follow worse, till the worst of 
all follow him laughing to his grave. Good Isis, 
hear me this prayer, though thou deny me a matter 
of more weight; good Isis, I beseech thee! 

Iras. Amen. Dear goddess, hear that prayer of 
the people! 

Char. Amen. 



1 6 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Eno. Hush! here comes Antony. 

Char. Not he; the queen. 65 

Enter Cleopatra. 

Cleo. Saw you my lord? 

Eno, No, lady. 

Cleo. Was he not here? 

Char. No, madam. 

Cleo. He was disposed to mirth; but on the 

sudden 
A Roman thought hath struck him. Enobarbus! 
Eno. Madam 70 

Cleo. Seek him, and bring him hither. Where 's 

Alexas ? 
Alex. Here, at your service. My lord approaches. 
Cleo. We will not look upon him: go with us. 

[Exeunt. 

Enter Antony with a Messenger and Attendants. 

Mess. Fulvia thy wife first came into the field. 

Ant. Against my brother Lucias? 75 

Mess. Ay: 
But soon that war had end, and the time's state 
Made friends of them, jointing their force 'gainst 

Caesar; 
Whose better issue in the war, from Italy, 
Upon the first encounter, drave them. 40 

Ant. Well, what worst? 80 

Mess. The nature of bad news infects the teller. 

Ant. When it concerns the fool or coward. On 
Things that are past are done with me. 'Tis thus; 
Who tells me true, though in his tale lie death, 
I hear him as he flatter'd. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 17 

Mess, Labienus — 85 

This is stiflf news — hath, with his Parthian force, 
Extended Asia from Euphrates; 
His conquering banner shook from Syria 
To Lydia and to Ionia; 
Whilst — 

Ant. Antony, thou wouldst say — 

Mess. O, my lord! 90 

Ant, Speak to me home, mince not the general 
tongue: 
Name Cleopatra as she is calPd in Rome; 
Rail thou in Fulvia's phrase; and taunt my faults 
With such full license as both truth and malice 
Have power to utter. O, then we bring forth weeds, 
When our quick minds lie still; and our ills told 
us 96 

Is as our earing. Fare thee well awhile. 

Mess. At your noble pleasure. [Exit. 

Ant. From Sicyon, ho, the news! Speak there! 

First Att. The man from Sicyon — is there such 
an one? 100 

Sec. Att. He stays upon your will. 

Ant. Let him appear. 

These strong Egyptian fetters I must break, 
Or lose myself in dotage. 

Enter another Messenger. 

What are you ? 

Sec, Mess, Fulvia thy wife is dead. 

Ant, Where died she? 

Sec. Mess, In Sicyon: 105 

Her length of sickness, with what else more serious 
Importeth thee to know, this bears. [Gives a letter. 



iS ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Ant, Forbear me. 

[Exit Sec. Messenger. 
There's a great spirit gone! Thus did I desire it: 
What our contempt doth often hurl from us, 
We wish it ours again; the present pleasure, no 
By revolution lowering, does become 
The opposite of itself: she's good, being gone; 
The hand could pluck her back that shoved her on. 
I must from this enchanting queen break off: 
Ten thousand harms, more than the ills I know, 115 
My idleness doth hatch. How now! Enobarbus! 

' Re-enter Enobarbus. 

Eno, What's your pleasure, sir? 

Ant, I must with haste from hence. 

Eno. Why, then, we kill all our women: we see 
how mortal an unkindness is to them; if they suffer 
our departure, death's the word. 121 

Ant. I must be gone. 

Eno. Under a compelling occasion, let women 
die: it were pity to cast them away for nothing; 
though, between them and a great cause, they should 
be esteemed nothing. Cleopatra, catching but the 
least noise of this, dies instantly; I have seen her 
die twenty times upon far poorer moment: I do 
think there is mettle in death, which commits some 
loving act upon her, she hath such a celerity in dying. 

Ant. She is cunning past man's thought. 131 

Eno. Alack, sir, no; her. passions are made of 
nothing but the finest part of pure love: we cannot 
call her winds and waters sighs and tears; they are 
greater storms and tempests than almanacs can 
report: this cannot be cunning in her; if it be, she 
makes a shower of rain as well as Jove. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 19 

AnL Would I had never seen her! 

Eno, O, sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful 
piece of work; which not to have been blest withal 
would have discredited your travel. 141 

AnL Fulvia is dead. 

Eno, Sir ? 

AnL Fulvia is dead. 

Eno. Fulvia! 145 

AnL Dead. 

Eno. Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacrifice. 
When it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a 
man from him, it shows to man the tailors of the 
earth; comforting therein, that when old robes are 
worn out, there are members to make new. If there 
were no more women but Fulvia, then had you indeed 
a cut, and the case to be lamented: this grief is 
crowned with consolation; your old smock brings 
forth a new petticoat: and indeed the tears live in an 
onion that should water this sorrow. 156 

AnL The business she hath broached in the state 
Cannot endure my absence. 

Eno, And the business you have broached here 
cannot be without you; especially that of Cleopatra's, 
which wholly depends on your abode. 161 

Ant, No more light answers. Let our officers 
Have notice what we purpose. I shall break 
The cause of our expedience to the queen, 
And get her leave to part. For not alone 165 

The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches. 
Do strongly speak to us; but the letters too 
Of many our contriving friends in Rome 
Petition us at home; Sextus Pompeius 
Hath given the dare to Caesar, and commands 17Q 
The empire ot the sea : our slippery people, 
Whps^ Jov§ is nev^r linked to the deserver 



so ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Till his deserts are past, begin to throw 
Pompey the Great and all his dignities 
Upon his son; who, high in name and power, 175 
Higher than both in blood and life, stands up 
For the main soldier: whose quality, going on. 
The sides o' the world may danger: much is breeding 
Which, like the courser's hair, hath yet but life. 
And not a serpent's poison. Say, our pleasure, 1 80 
To such whose place is under us, requires 
Our quick remove from hence. 
Eno. I shall do 't. [Exeunt, 

Scene III. The same. Another room. 

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas. 

Cleo. Where is he ? 

Char. I did not see him since. 

Cleo. See where he is, who 's with him, what he 
does: 
I did not send you: if you find him sad, 
Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report 
That I am sudden sick: quick, and return. 5 

[Exit Alexas. 
Char. Madam, methinks, if you did love him 
dearly. 
You do not hold the method to enforce 
The like from him. 

Cleo. What should I do, I do not ? 

Char. In each thing give him way, cross him in 

nothing. 
Cleo. Thou teachest like a fool; the way to lose 
him. 10 

Char. Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear: 
In time we hate that which we often fear. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 21 

But here comes Antony. 

Enter Antony. 

Cleo. I am sick and sullen. 

Ant. I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose, 

Cleo. Help me away, dear Charmian; I shall 
fall: 15 

It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature 
Will not sustain it. 

Ant. Now, my dearest queen — 

Cleo. Pray you, stand farther from me. 

Ant. What's the matter? 

Cleo. I know, by that same eye, there's some 
good news. 
What says the married woman? You may go: 20 
Would she had never given you leave to come! 
Let her not say 'tis I that keep you here: 
I have no power upon you; hers you are. 

Ant, The gods know best — 

Cleo. O, never was there queen 

So mightily betray 'd! yet at the first 25 

I saw the treasons planted. 

Ant. Cleopatra — 

Cleo. Why should I think you can be mine and 
true. 
Though you in swearing shake the throned gods, 
Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness. 
To be entangled with those mouth-made vows, 30 
Which break themselves in swearing! 

Ant. Most sweet queen — 

Cleo. Nay, pray you, seek no color for your going. 
But bid farewell, and go : when you sued staying. 
Then was the time for words: no going then; 
Eternity was in our lips and eyes, 35 



2i ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor, 
But it was a race of heaven: they are so still, 
Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world, 
Art turn'd the greatest liar. 

Ant, How now, lady! 

Cleo. I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst 
know 40 

There was a heart in Egypt. 

Ant, Hear me, queen: 

The strong necessity of time commands 
Our service awhile; but my full heart 
Remains in use with you. Our Italy 
Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius 45 
Makes his approaches to the port of Rome: 
Equality of two domestic powers 
Breed scrupulous faction: the hated, grown to 

strength, 
Are newly grown to love: the condemned Pompey, 
Rich in his father's honor, creeps apace 50 

Into the heart of such as have not thrived 
Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten; 
And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge 
By any desperate change: my more particular. 
And that which most with you should safe my going, 
Is Fulvia's death. 56 

Cleo. Though age from folly could not give me 
freedom, 
It does from childishness: can Fulvia die? 

Ant. She's dead, my queen: 
Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read 60 
The garboils she awaked; at the last, best: 
See when and where she died. 

Cleo. O most false love! 

Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill 
With sorrowful water ? Now I see, I see, 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 23 

In Fulvia's death, how mine received shall be. 65 

Ant, Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know 
The purposes I bear; which are, or cease, 
As you shall give the advice. By the fire 
That quickens Nilus' slime, I go from hence 
Thy soldier, servant; making peace or war 70 

As thou affect'st. 

Cleo, Cut thy lace, Charmian, come; 

But let it be: I am quickly ill, and well. 
So Antony loves. 

AnL My precious queen, forbear; 

And give true evidence to his love, which stands 
An honorable trial. 

Cleo. So Fulvia told me. 75 

I prithee, turn aside and weep for her; 
Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears 
Belong Jto Egypt: good now, play one scene 
Of excellent dissembling; and let it look 
Like perfect honor. 

AnL You'll heat my blood: no more. 80 

Cleo. You can do better yet; but this is meetly. 

Ant, Now, by my sword — 

Cleo. And target. Still he mends; 

But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian, 
How this Herculean Roman does become 
The carriage of his chafe. 85 

Ant, I'll leave you, lady. 

Cleo. Courteous lord, one word. 

Sir, you and I must part, but that's not it: 
Sir, you and I have loved, but there's not it; 
That you know well : something it is I would — 
O, my oblivion is a very Antony, 90 

And I am all forgotten. 

Ant. But that your royalty 

Holds idleness your subject, I should take you 



24 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

For idleness itself. 

Cleo, 'Tis sweating labor 

To bear such idleness so near the heart 
As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me; 95 

Since my becomings kill me, when they do not 
Eye well to you: your honor calls you hence; 
Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly. 
And all the gods go with you! upon your sword 
Sit laurel victory! and smooth success 100 

Be strew'd before your feel! 

Ant. Let us go. Come; 

Our separation so abides, and flies, 
That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me, 
And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. 
Away! 105 [Exeunt. 



Scene IV. Rome. Cczsafs house. 

Enter Octavius Caesar, reading a letter^ Lepidus, 
and their Train. 

Cas. You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth 
know. 
It is not Caesar's natural vice to hate 
Our great competitor: from Alexandria 
This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes 
The lamps of night in revel ; is not more manlike 5 
Than Cleopatra; nor the queen of Ptolemy 
More womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or 
Vouchsafed to think he had partners: you shall find 

there 
A man who is the abstract of all faults 
That all men follow. 

Lep. I must not think there are 10 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 25 

Evils enow to darken all his goodness: ^ 

His faults in him seem as the spots of heaven, 
More fiery by night's blackness; hereditary, 
Rather than purchased; what he cannot change. 
Than what he chooses. 15 

Cces, You are too indulgent. Let us grant, it is 

not 
Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy; 
To give a kingdom for a mirth; to sit 
And keep the turn of tippling with a slave; 
To reel the streets at noon, and stand the buffet 20 
With knaves that smell of sweat: say this becomes 

him — 
As his composure must be rare indeed 
Whom these things cannot blemish — yet must 

Antony 
No way excuse his soils, when we do bear 
So great weight in his lightness. If he filPd 25 

His vacancy with his voluptuousness, 
Full surfeits, and the dryness of his bones, 
Call on him for't: but to confound such time. 
That drums him from his sport, and speaks as loud 
As his own state and ours — 'tis to be chid 30 

As we rate boys, who, being mature in knowledge, 
Pawn their experience to their present pleasure, 
And so rebel to judgment. 

Enter a Messenger. 

Lep, Here's more news. 

Mess. Thy biddings have been done; and every 
hour. 
Most noble Caesar, shalt thou have report 35 

How 'tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea; 
And it appears he is beloved of those 



26 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

That only have fear'd Caesar: to the ports 
The discontents repair, and men's reports 
Give him much wrong 'd. 

CcBs, I should have known no less. 40 

It hath been taught us from the primal state, 
That he which is was wished until he were; 
And the ebb'd man, ne'er loved till ne'er worth love, 
Comes dear'd by being lack'd. This common body, 
Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream, 45 

Goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide, 
To rot itself with motion. 

Mess. Caesar, I bring thee word, 

Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates. 
Make the sea serve them, which they ear and wound 
With keels of every kind: many hot inroads 50 
They make in Italy; the borders maritime 
Lack blood to think on't, and flush youth revolt: 
No vessel can peep forth, but 'tis as soon 
Taken as seen; for Pompey's name strikes more 
Than coMld his war resisted. 

C(BS. Antony, 55 

Leave thy lascivious wassails. When thou once 
Wast beaten from Modena, where thou slew'st 
Hirtius and Pansa, consuls, at thy heel 
Did famine follow; whom thou fought'st against, 
Though daintily brought up, with patience more 60 
Than savages could suffer: thou didst drink 
The stale of horses, and the gilded puddle 
Which beasts would cough at: thy palate then did 

deign 
The roughest berry on the rudest hedge; 
Yea, like the stag, when snow the pasture sheets, 65 
The barks of trees thou browsed'st; on the Alps 
It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh, 
Which some did die to look on : and all this —- 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 27 

It wounds thine honor that I speak it now — 
Was borne so like a soldier, that thy cheek 70 

So much as lank'd not. 

Lep, 'Tis pity of him. 

C(Bs, Let his shames quickly 
Drive him to Rome: 'tis time we twain 
Did show ourselves i' the field; and to that end 
Assemble we immediate council: Pompey 75 

Thrives in our idleness. 

Lep, To-morrow, Caesar, 

I shall be furnish'd to inform you rightly 
Both what by sea and land I can be able 
To front this present time. 

C(Bs, Till which encounter. 

It is my business too. Farewell. 80 

Lep, Farewell, my lord: what you shall know 
meantime 
Of stirs abroad, I shall beseech you, sir. 
To let me be partaker. 

CcFs. Doubt not, sir; 

I knew it for my bond. [Exeunt. 

Scene V. Alexandria. Cleopatra^s palace. 

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian. 

Cleo. Charmian! 

Char, Madam ? 

Cleo. Ha, ha! 
Give me to drink mandragora. 

Char. Why, madam? 

Cleo. That I might sleep out this great gap of 
time 5 

My Antony is away. 

Char. You think of him too much. 



28 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Cleo, O, 'tis treason! 

Char. Madam, I trust, not so. 

Cleo. Thou, eunuch Mardian! 

Mar. What 's your highness' pleasure ? 

Cleo. Not now to hear thee sing. O Charmian, 
Where think'st thou he is now? Stands he, or sits 
he? lo 

Or does he walk? or is he on his horse? 
O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony! 
Do bravely, horse! for wot'st thou whom thou 

movest ? 
The demi-Atlas of this earth, the arm 
And burgonet of men. He's speaking now, 15 

Or murmuring " Where 's my serpent of old Nile ? " 
For so he calls me: now I feed myself 
With the most delicious poison. Think on me, 
That am with Phoebus' amorous pinches black, 
And wrinkled deep in time! Broad-fronted Caesar, 
When thou wast here above the ground, I was 21 
A morsel for a monarch: and great Pompey 
Would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow ; 
There would he anchor his aspect and die 
With looking on his life. 

Enter Alexas. 

Alex. Sovereign of Egypt, hail! 25 

Cleo. How much unhke art thou Mark Antony! 
Yet, coming from him, that great medicine hath 
With his tinct gilded thee. 
How goes it vv^ith my brave Mark Antony? 

Alex. Last thing he did, dear queen, 3c 

He kiss'd — the last of many doubled kisses — 
This orient pearl. His speech sticks in my heart. 

Cleo. Mine ear must pluck it thence. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 29 

Alex. *^Good friend/' quoth he, 

"Say, the firm Roman to great Egypt sends 
This treasure of an oyster; at whose foot, 35 

To mend the petty present, I will piece 
Her opulent throne with kingdom_s; ail the east, 
Say thou, shall call her mistress." So he nodded. 
And soberly did mount an arrogant steed, 
Who neigh'd so high, that what I would have spoke 
Was beastly dumb'd by him. 

Cleo. What, was he sad or merry? 41 

Alex. Like to the time o' the year between the 
extremes 
Of hot and cold, he was nor sad nor merry. 

Cleo. O well-divided disposition! Note him. 
Note him, good Charmian, 'tis the man; but note 
him: 45 

He was not sad, for he w^ould shine on those 
That make their looks by his; he was not merry, 
Which seem'd to tell them his remembrance lay 
In Egypt with his joy; but between both: 
O heavenly mingle! Be'st thou sad or merry, 50 
The violence of either thee becomes. 
So does it no man else. Met'st thou my posts? 

Alex. Ay, madam, twenty several messengers: 
W'hy do you send so thick? 

Cleo. Who's born that day 

When I forget to send to Antony, 
Shall die a beggar. Ink and paper, Charmian. 
W'elcome, my good Alexas. Did I, Charmian, 
Ever love Caesar so? 

Char. O that brave Caesar! " 

Cleo. Be choked with such another emphasis! 
Say, the brave Antony. 

Char. The valiant Caesan 60 

Cleo. By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth, 



30 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

If thou with Casar paragon again 
My man of men. 

Char. By your most gracious pardon, 

I sing but after you. 
Cleo. My salad days, 

When I was green in judgment: cold in blood, 
To say as I said then! But, come, away; 
Get me ink and paper: 
He shall have every day a several greeting, 
Or I'll unpeople Egypt. [Exeunt, 



ACT II. 

Scene I. Messina. Pompey^s house. 

V 

Enter Pompey, Menecrates, and Menas, in war- 
like manner. 

Pom. If the great gods be just, they shall assist 
The deeds of justest men. 

Mene. Know, worthy Pompey, 

That what they do delay, they not deny. 

Pom. Whiles we are suitors to their throne, decays 
The thing we sue for. 

Mene. We, ignorant of ourselves, 5 

Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers 
Deny us for our good; so find we profit 
By losing of our prayers. . 

Pom. I shall do well: 

The people love me, and the sea is mine; 
My powers are crescent, and my auguring hope 10 
Says it will come to the full. Mark Antony 
In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make 
No wars without doors: Caesar gets money where 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 31 

He loses hearts: Lepidus flatters both, 

Of both is flattered; but he neither loves, 15 

Nor either cares for him. 

Mene, Caesar and Lepidus 

Are in the field: a mighty strength they carry. 

Pom. Where have you this ? 'tis false. 

Mene, From Silvius, sir. 

Pom. He dreams: I know they are in Rome 
together, 
Looking for Antony. But all the charms of love, 2 o 
Salt Cleopatra, soften thy waned lip! 
Let witchcraft join with beauty, lust with both! 
Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts. 
Keep his brain fuming; Epicurean cooks 
Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite; 25 

That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honor 
Even till a Lethe'd dulness! 

Enter Varrius. 

How now, Varrius! 

Var, This is most certain that I shall deliver: 
Mark Antony is every hour in Rome 
Expected: since he went from Egypt His 30 

A space for further travel. 

Pom. I could have given less matter 

A better ear. Menas, I did not think 
This amorous surfeiter would have donn'd his helm 
For such a petty war: his soldiership 
Is twice the other twain: but let us rear 35 

The higher our opinion, that our stirring 
Can from the lap of Egypt's widow pluck 
The ne'er-lust-wearied Antony. 

Men. I cannot hope 

Caesar and Antony shall well greet together: 



32 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

His wife that's dead did trespass to Caesar; ^ 40 
His brother warr'd upon him; although, I think, 
Not moved by Antony. 

Pom, I know not, Menas, 

How lesser enmities may give way to greater. 
Were't not that we stand up against them all, 
'Twere pregnant they should square between them- 
selves; 45 
For they have entertained cause enough 
To draw their swords: but how the fear of us m 
May cement their divisions and bind up I 
The petty difference, we yet not know. ^\ 
Be 't as our gods will have 't! It only stands 50 
Our lives upon to use our strongest hands. 
Come, Menas. [Exeunt, 

Scene II. Rome. The house of Lepidus, 

Enter Enobarbus and Lepidus. 

Lep, Good Enobarbus, 'tis a worthy deed; 
And shall become you well, to entreat your captain 
To soft and gentle speech. 

Eno, I shall entreat him 

To answer like himself: If Caesar move him, | 

Let Antony look over Caesar's head ^ 5 

And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter, 
Were I the wearer of Antonius' beard, 
I would not shave 't to-day. 

Lep, 'Tis not a time 

For private stomaching. 

Eno, Every time 

Serves for the matter that is then born in't. 10 

Lep. But small to greater matters must give way. 

Eno, Not if the small come first. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 33 

Lep. Your speech is passion: 

But, pray you, stir no embers up. Here comes 
The noble Antony. 

Enter Antony and Ventidius. 
Eno, And yonder, Caesar. 

Enter C^sar, Mecenas, and Agrippa. 

Ant. If we compose well here, to Parthia: 15 
Hark, Ventidius. 

C(Bs. I do not know, 

Mecaenas; ask Agrippa. 

Lep. Noble friends, 

That which combined us was most great, and let not 
A leaner action rend us. What's amiss. 
May it be gently heard: when we debate 20 

Our trivial difference loud, we do commit 
Murder in heahng wounds: then, noble partners, 
The rather, for I earnestly beseech. 
Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms, 
Nor curstness grow to the matter. 

Ant. 'Tis spoken well. 25 

Were we before our armies, and to fight, 
I should do thus. 

Cces. Welcome to Rome. 

Ant. Thank you. 

Cces, Sit. 

Ant. Sit, sir. 

C(Es. Nay, then. 

Ant. I learn, you take things ill which are not so. 
Or being, concern you not. 

Cces. I must be laugh'd at, 30 

If, or for nothing or a little, I 
Should say myself offended, and with you 



34 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Chiefly i' the world; more laugh'd at, that I should 
Once name you derogately, when to sound your name 
It not concerned me. 

Ant, My being in Egypt, Caesar, 35 

What was 't to you ? 

CcBs. No more than my residing here in Rome 
Might be to you in Egypt: yet, if you there 
Did practice on my state, your being at Egypt 
Might be my question. 

Ant, How intend you, practiced ? 40 

CcBs. You may be pleased to catch at mine intent 
By what did here befall me. Your wife and brother 
Made wars upon me; and their contestation 
Was theme for you, you were the word of war. 

Ant, You do mistake your business; my brother 
never 45 

Did urge me in his act: I did inquire it; 
And have my learning from some true reports, 
That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather 
Discredit my authority with yours; 
And make the wars alike against my stomach, 50 
Having alike your cause? Of this my letters 
Before did satisfy you. If you'll patch a quarrel, 
As matter whole you've not to make it with, 
It must not be with this. 

Cces, You praise yourself 

By laying defects of judgment to me; but 55 

You patch'd up your excuses. 

Ant, Not so, not so; 

I know you could not lack, I am certain on 't, 
Very necessity of this thought, that I, 
Your partner in the cause 'gainst which we fought, 
Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars 60 
Which fronted mine own peace. As for my wife, 
I would you had her spirit in such another: 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 35 

The third o' the world is yours; which with a snaffle 
You may pace easy, but not such a mfe. 

Eno. Would we had all such wives, that the 
men might go to wars with the women! 66 

A.nt. So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar, 
Made out of her impatience, which not wanted 
Shrewdness of policy too, I grieving grant 
Did you too much disquiet: for that you must 70 
But say, I could not help it. 

C(Es. I wrote to you 

When rioting in Alexandria; you 
Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts 
Did gibe my missive out of audience. 

Ant. Sir, 

He fell upon me ere admitted: then 75 

Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want 
Of what I was i' the morning: but next day 
I told him of myself; which was as much 
As to have ask'd him pardon. Let this fellow 
Be nothing of our strife; if we contend, 80 

Out of our question wipe him. 

C(Bs, You have broken 

The article of your oath; which you shall never 
Have tongue to charge me with. 

Lep. Soft, Caesar! 

Ant, No, 

Lepidus, let him speak: 

The honor is sacred which he talks on now, 85 

Supposing that I lacked it. But, on, CaevSar; 
The article of my oath. 

C(Bs. To lend me arms and aid when I required 
them ; 
The which you both denied. 

Ant, Neglected, rather; 

And then when poison'd hours had bound me up 90 



36 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may, 
I'll play the penitent to you: but mine honesty 
Shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power 
Work without it. Truth is, that Fulvia, 
To have me out of Egypt, made wars here; 95 

For which myself, the ignorant motive, do 
So far ask pardon as befits mine honor 
To stoop in such a case. 

Lep. 'Tis noble spoken. 

Mec. If it might please you, to enforce no further 
The griefs between ye: to forget them quite 100 
Were to remember that the present need 
Speaks to ator^e you. 

Lep, Worthily spoken, Mecaenas. 

Eno, Or, if you borrow one another's love for the 
instant, you may, when you hear no more words of 
Pompey, return it again: you shall have time to 
wrangle in when you have nothing else to do. 106 

Ant, Thou art a soldier only: speak no more. 

Eno, That truth should be silent I had almost 
forgot. 

Ant, You wrong this presence; therefore speak 
no more. 

Eno, Go to, then; your considerate stone, no 

CcBs, I do not much dislike the matter, but 
The manner of his speech; for't cannot be 
We shall remain in friendship, our conditions 
So differing in their acts. Yet, if I knew 
What hoop should hold us stanch, from edge to edge 
O' the world I would pursue it. 

Agr, Give me leave, Caesar — 116 

C(Bs. Speak, Agrippa. 

Agr. Thou hast a sister by the mother's side, 
Admired Octavia: great Mark Antony 
In now a widower. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 37 

C(Bs, Say not so, Agrippa: 120 

If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof 
Were well deserved of rashness. 

Ant. I am not married, Caesar: let me hear 
Agrippa further speak. 

Agr, To hold you in perpetual amity, 125 

To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts 
With an unslipping knot, take Antony 
Octavia to his wife; whose beauty claims 
No worse a husband than the best of men; 
Whose virtue and whose general graces speak 130 
That which none else can utter. By this marriage^ 
All Uttle jealousies, which now seem great, 
And all great fears, which now import their dangers, 
Would then be nothing: truths would be tales, 
Where now half tales be truths : her love to both 1 3 5 
Would, each to other and all loves to both. 
Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke; 
For 'tis a studied, not a present thought, 
By duty ruminated. 

Ant, Will Caesar speak? 

CcBs. Not till he hears how Antony is touched 1 40 
With what is spoke already. 

Ant. What power is in Agrippa, 

If I would say, "Agrippa, be it so,'' 
To make this good? 

CcEs. The power of Caesar, and 

His power unto Octavia. 

Ant. May I never 

To this good purpose, that so fairly shows, 145 

Dream of impediment! Let me have thy hand: 
Further this act of grace; and from this hour 
The heart of brothers govern in our loves 
And sway our great designs! 



38 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

C(BS. There is my hand. 

A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother 150 

Did ever love so dearly: let her live 
To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never 
Fly off our loves again! 

Lep. Happily, amen! 

Ant. I did not think to draw my sword 'gainst 
Pompey ; 
For he hath laid strange courtesies and great 155 
Of late upon me: I must thank him only, 
Lest my remembrance suffer ill report; 
At heel of that, defy him. 

Lep. Time calls upon 's: 

Of us must Pompey presently be sought, 
Or else he seeks us out. 

Ant. Where lies he? 160 

CcBs. About the Mount Misenum. 

Ant. What is his strength by land? 

CcBs. Great and increasing: but by sea 
He is an absolute master. 

Ant. So is the fame. 

Would we had spoke together ! Haste we for it : 165 
Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, despatch we 
The business we have talked of. 

CcEs. With most gladness: 

And do invite you to my sister's view. 
Whither straight I'll lead you. 

Ant. Let us, Lepidus, 

Not lack your company. 

Lep. Noble Antony, 170 

Not sickness should detain me. 
[Flourish. Exeunt Cesar, Antony, and Lepidus. 

Mec. Welcome from Egypt, sir. 

Eno. Half the heart of Caesar, worthy Mecaenas! 
My honorable friend, Agrippa! 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 39 

Agr. Good Enobarbus! 175 

Mec. We have cause to be glad that matters are 
so well digested. You stayed well by 't in Egypt. 

Eno. Ay, sir; we did sleep day out of countenance 
and made the night light with drinking. 

Mec. Eight wild-boars roasted whole at a break- 
fast, and but twelve persons there ; is this true ? 181 

Eno. This was but as a fly by an eagle: we had 
much more monstrous matter of feast, which worthily 
deserved noting. 

Mec. She 's a most triumphant lady, if report be 
square to her. 186 

Eno. When she first met Mark Antony she pursed 
up his heart, upon the river of Cydnus. 

Agr. There she appeared indeed; or my reporter 
devised well for her. 190 

Eno. I will tell you. 
The barge she sat in, like a burnished throne, 
Burned on the water: the poop was beaten gold; 
Purple the sails, and so perfumed that 
The winds were love-sick with them; the oars were 
silver, 195 

Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made 
The water which they beat to follow faster. 
As amorous of their strokes. For her own person, 
It beggar'd all description: she did lie 
In her pavilion — cloth-of-gold of tissue — 200 
O'er-picturing that Venus where we see 
The fancy outwork nature: on each side her 
Stood pretty dimpled boys, Hke smiling Cupids, 
With divers-color'd fans, whose wind did seem 
To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool, 205 
And what they undid did. 

Agr. O, rare for Antony! 

Eno. Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides, 



40 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

So many mermaids, tended her i' the eyes, 

And made their bends adornings: at the helm 

A seeming mermaid steers: the silken tackle 210 

Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands, 

That yarely frame the office. From the barge 

A Strang invisible perfume hits the sense 

Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast 

Her people out upon her; and Antony, 215 

Enthroned i' the market-place, did sit alone, 

Whistling to the air; which, but for vacancy, 

Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too 

And made a gap in nature. ^ 

Agr, Rare Egyptian! 

Eno. Upon her landing, Antony sent to her, 220 
Invited her to supper: she replied, 
It should be better he became her guest; 
Which she entreated: our courteous Antony, 
Whom ne'er the word of " No " woman heard speak, 
Being barber'd ten times o'er, goes to the feast, 225 
And for his ordinary pays his heart 
For what his eyes eat only. 

Agr. Royal wench! 

Eno. I saw her once 

Hop forty paces through the public street; 
And having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted, 
That she did make defect perfection, 231 

And, breathless, power breathe forth. 

Mec. Now Antony must leave her utterly. 

Eno. Never; he will not: 
Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale 235 

Her infinite variety: other women cloy 
The appetites they feed: but she makes hungry 
Where most she satisfies: for vilest things 
Become themselves in her; that the holy priests 
Bless her when she is riggish. 240 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 41 

Mec. If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle 
The heart of Antony, Octavia is 
A blessed lottery to him. 

Agr. Let us go. 

Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest 
Whilst you abide here. 

Eno, Humbly, sir, I thank you. [Exeunt, 

Scene III. The same. Cesar's house. 

Enter Antony, Caesar, Octavia between them, 
and Attendants. 

Ant. The world and my great office will some- 
times 
Divide me from your bosom. 

Octa. All which time 

Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers 
To them for you. 

Ant. Good night, sir. My Octavia, 

Read not my blemishes in the world's report: 5 
I have not kept my square; but that to come 
Shall all be done by the rule. Good night, dear lady. 
Good night, sir. 

Cces. Good night. 

[Exeunt Caesar and Octavia. 

Enter Soothsayer. 

Ant. Now, sirrah; you do wish yourself in 
Egypt? 10 

Sooth. Would I had never come from thence, 
nor you 
Thither! 



42 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Ant, If you can, your reason? 

Sooth, I see it in 

My motion, have it not in my tongue: but yet 
Hie you to Egypt again. 

Ant, Say to me, 15 

Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar's or mine? 

Sooth. Caesar's. 
Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side: 
Thy demon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is 
Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable, 20 

Where Caesar's is not; but, near him, thy angel 
Becomes a fear, as being o'erpower'd: therefore 
Make space enough between you. 

Ant. Speak this no more. 

Sooth. To none but thee; no more, but when to 
thee. 
If thou dost play with him at any game, 25 

Thou art sure to lose; and, of that natural luck, 
He beats thee 'gainst the odds: thy lustre thickens, 
When he shines by: I say again, thy spirit 
Is all afraid to govern thee near him; 
But, he away, 'tis noble. 

Ant. Get thee gone: 30 

Say to Ventidius I would speak with him: 

[Exit Soothsayer. 
He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap. 
He hath spoken true: the very dice obey him; 
And in our sports my better cunning faints 
Under his chance: if we draw lots, he speeds; 35 
His cocks do win the battle still of mine. 
When it is all to nought; and his quails ever 
Beat mine, inhoop'd, at odds. I will to Egypt: 
And though I make this marriage for my peace, 
I' the east my pleasure lies. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 43 

Enter Ventidius, 

O, come, Ventidius, 40 
You must to Parthia: your commission's ready; 
Follow me, and receive 't. \Exeunt, 

Scene IV. The same, A street. 

Enter Lepidus, Mec^nas, and Agrippa. 

Lep. Trouble yourselves no further: pray you, 
hasten 
Your generals after. 

Agr, Sir, Mark Antony 

Will e'en but kiss Octavia, and we'll follow. 

Lep. Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress. 
Which will become you both, farewell. 

Mec, We shall. 5 

As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount 
Before you, Lepidus. 

Lep, Your way is shorter; 

My purposes do draw me much about: 

You '11 win two days upon me. 

Mec. ) c J f 

A > bir, good success! 

Lep, Farewell. [Exeunt, 10 

Scene V. Alexandria, Cleopatra's palace. 

Enter Cleopatra, Charmlan, Iras, and Alexas. 

Cleo, Give me some music; music, moody food 
Of us that trade in love. 
Attend. The music, ho! 



44 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Enter Mardian the Eunuch. 

Cleo. Let it alone; let's to billiards: come, 
Charmian. 

Char, My arm is sore; best play with Mardian. 

Cleo. As well a woman with an eunuch played 5 
As with a woman. Come, you '11 play with me, sir ? 

Mar. As well as I can, madam. 

Cleo. And when good will is show'd, though 't 
come too short. 
The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now: 
Give me mine angle; we '11 to the river : there, 10 
My music playing far off, I will betray 
Tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall pierce 
Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up, 
I '11 think them every one an Antony, 
And say "Ah, ha! you're caught." 

Char. 'Twas merry when 15 

You wager'd on your angling; when your diver 
Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he 
With fervency drew up. 

Cleo. That time — O times! — 

I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night 
I laugh'd him into patience: and next morn, 20 
Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed; 
Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst 
I wore his sword Philippan. 

Enter a Messenger. 

O, from Italy! 

Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, 

That long time have been barren. 

Mess. Madam, madam — 25 

Cleo. Antonius dead! — If thou say so, villain, 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 45 

Thou kill'st thy mistress: but well and free, 
If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here 
My bluest veins to kiss; a hand that kings 
Have lipped, and trembled kissing. 3° 

Mess, First, madam, he is well. 

Cleo. Why, there's more gold. 

But, sirrah, mark, we use 
To say the dead are well: bring it to that. 
The gold I give thee will I melt and pour 
Down thy ill-uttering throat. 35 

Mess. Good madam, hear me. 

Cleo, Well, go to, I will; 

But there's no goodness in thy face: if Antony 
Be free and healthful — so tart a favor 
To trumpet such good tidings! If not well. 
Thou shouldst come like a Fury crown'd with 
snakes, 40 

Not like a formal man. 

Mess. Will 't please you hear me? 

Cleo. 1 have a mind to strike thee ere thou 
speak 'st: 
Yet, if thou say Antony lives, is well. 
Or friends with Caesar, or not captive to him, 
I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail 45 

Rich pearls upon thee. 

Mess. Madam, he's well. 

Cleo. Well said. 

Mess. And friends with Caesar. 

Cleo. Thou'rt an honest man. 

Mess. Caesar and he are greater friends than ever. 

Cleo. Make thee a fortune from me. 

Mess. But, yet madam — 

Cleo. I do not like "But yet," it does allay 50 
The good precedence; fie upon "But yet"! 
"But yet" k a gaoler to bring forth 



46 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend, 
Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear, 
The good and bad together : he 's friends with Caesar; 
In state of health thou say'st; and thou say'st free. 56 

Mess, Free, madam! no; I made no such report : 
He's bound unto Octavia. 

Cleo. I am pale, Charmian. 

Mess, Madam, he's married to Octavia. 

Cleo, The most infectious pestilence upon thee! 

[Strikes him down. 

Mess. Good madam, patience. 

Cleo, What say you? Hence, 61 

[Strikes him again. 
Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes 
Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head: 

[She hales him up and down. 
Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine, 
Smarting in lingering pickle. 

Mess, Gracious madam, 65 

I that do bring the news made not the match. 

Cleo. Say 'tis not so, a province I will give thee, 
And make thy fortunes proud : the blow thou hadst 
Shall make thy peace for moving me to rage; 
And I will boot thee with what gift beside 70 

Thy modesty can beg. 

Mess, He's married, madam. 

Cleo, Rogue, thou hast lived too long. 

[Draws a knife. 

Mess, Nay, then I '11 run. 

What mean you, madam? I have made no fault. 

[Exit. 

Char. Good madam, keep yourself within your- 
self: 
The man is innocent. 75 

Cleo. Some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt. 



Antony and cleopatra 47 

Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures 
Turn all to serpents! Call the slave again: 
Though I am mad, I will not bite him; call. 

Char. He is afeard to come. 

Cleo, I will not hurt him. 80 

[Exit Charmian. 
These hands do lack nobiUty, that they strike 
A meaner than myself; since I myself 
Have given myself the cause. 

Re-enter Charmian and Messenger. 

Come hither, sir. 
Though it be honest, it is never good 
To bring bad news: give to a gracious message 85 
An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell 
Themselves when they be felt. 

Mess, I have done my duty. 

Cleo. Is he married ? 
I cannot hate thee worser than I do, 
If thou again say "Yes." 

Mess. He's married, madam. 90 

Cleo. The gods confound thee! dost thou hold 
there still? 

Mess. Should I lie, madam? 

Cleo. O, I would thou didst, 

So half my Egypt were submerged and made 
A cistern for scaled snakes! Go, get thee hence: 
Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me 95 

Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married? 

Mess, I crave your highness' pardon. 

Cleo. He is married? 

Mess. Take no offence that I would not offend 
you: 



48 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

To punish me for what you make me do 
Seems much unequal : he 's married to Octavia. i oo 
Cleo, O, that his fault should make a knave of 
thee, 
That art not what thou'rt sure of. Get thee hence: 
The merchandise which thou hast brought from 

Rome 
Are all too dear for me: lie they upon thy hand, 
And be undone by 'em! [Exit Messenger. 

Char. Good your highness, patience. 105 

Cleo, In praising Antony, I have dispraised 

Caesar. 
Char. Many times, madam. 
Cleo. I am paid for 't now. 

Lead me from hence; 
I faint: O Iras, Charmian! 'tis no matter. 
Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him no 

Report the feature of Octavia, her years. 
Her inclination, let him not leave out 
The color of her hair: bring me word quickly. 

[Exit Alexas. 
Let him for ever go : — let him not — Charmian, 
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon, 115 
The other way's a Mars. Bid you Alexas 

[To Mardian. 
Bring me word how tall she is. Pity me, Charmian, 
But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber. 

[Exeunt. 

Scene VI. Near Misenum. 

Flourish. Enter Pompey and Menas at one side, 
with drum and trumpet: at another, C^sar, 
Antony, Lepidus, Enobarbus, Mec^enas, 
with Soldiers marching. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 49 

Pom. Your hostages I have, so have you mine; 
And we shall talk before we fight. 

Coes. Most meet 

That first we come to words; and therefore have we 
Our written purposes before us sent; 
Which, if thou hast consider'd, let us know 
If 'twill tie up thy discontented sword, 
And carry back to Sicily much tall youth 
That else must perish here. 

Pom. To you all three, 

The senators alone of this great world, 
Chief factors for the gods, I do not know 10 

Wherefore my father should avengers want, 
Having a son and friends ; since Julius Caesar, 
Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted 
There saw you laboring for him. What was't 
That moved pale Cassius to conspire; and what 15 
Made the all-honor 'd, honest Roman, Brutus, 
With the arm'd rest, courtiers of beauteous free- 
dom, 
To drench the Capitol; but that they would 
Have one man but a man ? And that is it 
Hath made me rig my navy; at whose burthen 20 
The anger 'd ocean foams; with which I meant 
To scourge the ingratitude that despiteful Rome 
Cast on my noble father. 

CcBS, Take your time. 

Ant, Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy 
sails ; 
We'll speak with thee at sea; at land, thou know'st 25 
How much we do o'er-count thee. 

Pom, At land, indeed, 

Thou dost o'er-count me of my father's house: 
But, since the cuckoo builds not for himself, 
Remain in 't as thou mayst. 



50 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Lep, Be pleased to tell us — 

For this is from the present — how you take 30 
The offers we have sent you. 

CcBS. There's the point. 

Ant. Which do not be entreated to, but weigh 
What it is worth embraced. 

CcBS. And what may follow, 

To try a larger fortune. 

Pom. You have made me offer 

Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must 35 

Rid all the sea of pirates; then, to send 
Measures of wheat to Rome; this 'greed upon,. 
To part with unhack'd edges, and bear back 
Our targes undinted. 

CcEs. Ant. Lep. That's our offer. 

Pom. Know, then 40 

I came before you here a man prepared 
To take this offer: but Mark Antony 
Put me to some impatience: though I lose 
The praise of it by telling, you must know, 
When Caesar and your brother were at blows, 45 
Your mother came to Sicily and did find 
Her welcome friendly. 

Ant. I have heard it, Pompey; 

And am well studied for a liberal thanks 
Which I do owe you. 

Pom, Let me have your hand: 

I did not think, sir, to have met you here. 50 

Ant, The beds i' the east are soft and thanks 
to you, 
That calPd me timelier than my purpose hither; 
For I have gain'd by 't. 

CcBs. Since I saw you last. 

There is a change upon you. 

Pom, Well, I know not 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 51 

What counts harsh fortune casts upon my face; 55 
But in my basom shall she never come, 
To make my heart her vassal. 

Lep. Well met here. 

Pom. I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed: 
I crave our composition may be v^ritten. 
And seaPd between us. 

CcBs. That's the next to do. 60 

Pom. We '11 feast each other ere we part ; and let's 
Draw lots who shall begin. 

Ant, That will I, Pompey. 

Pom. No, Antony, take the lot: but, first 
Or last, your fine Egyptian cookery 
Shall have the fame. I have heard that Julius 

Caesar 
Grew fat with feasting there. 

Ant. You have heard much 66 

Pom. I have fair meanings, sir. 

Ant. And fair words to them. 

Pom. Then so much have I heard: 
And I have heard, Apollodorus carried — 

Eno. No more of that: he did so. 

Pom. What, I pray you ? 70 

Eno. A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress. 

Pom. I know thee now : how farest thou, soldier ? 

Eno. Well; 

And well am like to do; for, 1 perceive, 
Four feasts are toward. 

Pom, Let me shake thy hand; 

I never hated thee: I have seen thee fight, 75 

When I have envied thy behavior. 

Eno. Sir, 

I never loved you much; but I ha' praised ye. 
When you have well deserved ten times as much 
As I have said you did. 



52 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Pom, Enjoy thy plainness. 

It nothing ill becomes thee. 80 

Aboard my galley I invite you all: 
Will you lead, lords? 

CcBs, Ant. Lepr Show us the way, sir. 

Pom. Come. 

[Exeunt all but Menas and Enobarbus. 

Men. [Aside.] Thy father, Pompey, would ne'er 
have made this treaty. — You and I have known, sir. 

Eno. At sea, I think. 85 

Men. We have, sir. 

Eno. You have done well by water. 

Men. And you by land. 

Eno. I will praise any man that will praise me; 
though it cannot be denied what I have done by land. 

Men, Nor what I have done by water. 91 

Eno. Yes, something you can deny for your own 
safety: you have been a great thief by sea. 

Men. And you by land. 

Eno. There I deny my land service. But give me 
your hand, Menas: if our eyes had authority, here 
they might take two thieves kissing. 97 

Men. All men's faces are true, whatsoe'er their 
hands are. 

Eno. But there is never a fair woman has a true 
face. loi 

Men. No slander; they steal hearts. 

Eno. We came thither to fight with you. 

Men. For my part, I am sorry it is turned to a 
drinking. Pompey doth this day laugh away his 
fortune. 106 

Eno. If he do, sure, he cannot weep't back again. 

Men. You Ve said, sir. We looked not for Mark 
Antony here: pray you^ is he married to Cleopatra? 

MiiOi Csesat's sister is called Octavia* no 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA S3 

Men. True, sir; she was the wife of Caius Mar- 
cellus. 

Eno, But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius. 

Men. Pray ye, sir? 

Eno. 'Tis true. 115 

Men. Then is Caesar and he for ever knit together. 

Eno. If I were bound to divine of this unity, I 
would not prophesy so. 

Men. I think the poHcy of that purpose made 
more in the marriage than the love of the parties 120 

Eno. I think so too. But you shall find, the band 
that seems to tie their friendship together will be the 
very strangler of their amity: Octavia is of a holy, 
cold, and still conversation. 

Men. Who would not have his wife so? 125 

Eno. Not he that himself is not so; which is 
Mark Antony. He will to his Egyptian dish again : 
then shall the sighs of Octavia blow the fire up in 
Caesar; and, as I said before, that which is the 
strength of their amity shall prove the immediate 
author of their variance. Antony will use his affec- 
tion where it is: he married but his occasion here. 

Men. And thus it may be. Come, sir, will you 
aboard? I have a health for you. 134 

Eno. I shall take it, sir: we have used our throats 
in Egypt. 

Men. Come, let's away, [Exeunt. 



Scene VII. On board Pompey's galley, off Misenum. 

Music plays. Enter two or three Servants ivith a 

banquet. 

First Serv. Here they'll be, man. Some o' their 



54 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

plants are ill-rooted already; the least wind i' the 
world will blow them down. 

Sec, Serv, tepidus is high-colored. 

First Serv, They made have drink alms-drink. 5 

Sec, Serv, As they pinch one another by the dis- 
position, he cries out *^No more"; reconciles them 
to his entreaty, and himself to the drink. 

First Serv, But it raises the greater war between 
him and his discretion. 10 

Sec, Serv, Why, this it is to have a name in great 
men's fellowship : I had as lief have a reed that will 
do me no service as a partisan I could not heave. 

First Serv. To be called into a huge sphere, and 
not to be seen to move in't, are the holes where eyes 
should be, which pitifully disaster the cheeks. 16 

A sennet^ sounded. Enter C^sar, 'Antony, Lepi- 

DUS, POMPEY, AgRIPPA, MeC^ENAS, EnOBAR- 

Bus, Menas, with other Captains. 

Ant. \To C^SAR.] Thus do they, sir: they take 
the flow o' the Nile 
By certain scales i' the pyramid; they know, 
By the height, the lowness, or the mean, if dearth 
Or foison follow: the higher Nilus svvells, 20 

The more it promises: as it ebbs, the seedsman 
Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain, 
And shortly comes to harvest. 

Lep, You've strange serpents there. 

Ant, Ay, Lepidus. 25 

Lep, Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your 
mud by the operation of your sun : so is your croco- 
dile. 

Ant. They are so. 

Pom. Sit — and some wine! A health to Lepidus! 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 55 

Lep. I am not so well as I should be, but I'll 
ne'er out. 

Eno. Not till you have slept; I fear me you'll 
be in till then. 34 

Lep. Nay, certainly, I have heard the Ptolemies' 
pyramises are very goodly things; v^ithout contradic- 
tion, I have heard that. 

Men. [Aside to Pom.] Pompey, a word. 

Pom. [Aside to Men.] Say in mine ear : what is't ? 

Men. [Aside to Pom.] Forsake thy seat, I do 
beseech thee, captain. 
And hear me speak a word. 

Pom. [Aside to yiY.^,'\ Forbear me till anon. 40 
This wine for Lepidus! 

Lep. What manner o' thing is your crocodile? 

Ant, It is shaped, sir, like itself; and it is as broad 
as it hath breadth : it is just so high as it is, and moves 
with it own organs: it lives by that which nourisheth 
it; and the elements once out of it, it transmigrates. 

Lep, What color is it of ? 47 

Ant. Of its own color too. 

Lep. 'Tis a strange serpent. 

Ant, 'Tis so. And the tears of it are wet. 50 

C(BS. Will this description satisfy him? 

Ant, With the health that Pompey gives him, 
else he is a very epicure. 

Pom. [Aside to Men.] Go hang, sir, hang ! Tell 
me of that? away! 
Do as I bid you. Where 's this cup I call'd for ? 

Men, [Aside to Pom.] If for the sake of merit 
thou wilt hear me, 
Rise from thy stool. 55 

Pom, [Aside to Men.] I think thou'rt mad. 
The matter? [Rises ^ and walks aside. 

Men, I have ever held my cap ofi' to thy fortunes. 



56 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Pom, Thou hast served me with much faith. 
What else's to say? 
Be jolly, lords. 

Ant. These quick-sands, Lepidus, 60 

Keep off them, for you sink. 

Men. Wilt thou be lord of all the world ? 

Pom. What say'st thou? 

Men. Wilt thou be lord of the whole world? 
That's twice. 

Pom, How should that be? 

Men, But entertain it. 

And, though you think me poor, I am the man 65 
Will give thee all the world. 

Pom. Hast thou drunk well ? 

Men. No, Pompey, I have kept me from the cup. 
Thou art, if thou darest be, the earthly Jove: 
Whate'er the ocean pales, or sky inclips, 
Is thine, if thou wilt ha't. 

Pom. Show me which way. 70 

Men. These three world-sharers, these competi- 
tors 
Are in thy vessel: let me cut the cable; 
And, when we are put off, fall to their throats: 
All there is thine. 

Pom. Ah, this thou shouldst have done. 

And not have spoken on't! In me 'tis villainy; 75 
In thee 't had been good service. Thou must know 
'Tis not my profit that does lead mine honor; 
Mine honor, it. Repent that e'er thy tongue 
Hath so betray 'd thine act: being done unknown, 
I should have found it afterwards well done; 80 
But must condemn it now. Desist, and drink. 

Men. [Aside.] For this, 
I '11 never follow thy pall'd fortunes more. 
Who seeks, and will not take when once 'tis offer'd. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA • 57 

Shall never find it more. 

Pom. This health to Lepidus! 85 

Ant, Bear him ashore. I'll pledge it for him, 
Pompey. 

Eno, Here's to thee, Menas! 

Men, Enobarbus, welcome! 

Pom. Fill till the cup be hid. 

Eno. There's a strong fellow, Menas. 

[Pointing to the Attendant who carries off 
Lepidus. 

Men. Why? 90 

Eno. A' bears the third part of the world, man; 
see'st not? 

Men. The third part, then, is drunk: would it 
were all, 
That might go on wheels! 

Eno. Drink thou; increase the reels. 

Men. Come. 95 

Pom. This is not yet an Alexandrian feast. 

Ant. It ripens towards it. Strike the vessels, ho! 
Here is to Caesar! 

CcBs. I could well forbear 't. 

It's monstrous labor when I wash my brain, 
And it grows fouler. 

Ant. Be a child o' the time. 100 

C(Bs. Possess it, I'll make answer: 
But I had rather fast from all four days 
Than drink so much in one. 

Eno. Ha, my brave emperor! [To Antony. 

Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals, 
And celebrate our drink? 

Pom. Let's ha't, good soldier, 105 

Ant. Come, let's all take hands, 
Till that the conquering wine hath steep 'd our sense 
In soft and deUcate Lethe. 



58 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Eno. All take hands. 

Make battery to our ears with the loud music: 
The while I '11 place you : then the boy shall sing no 
The holding every man shall bear as loud 
As his strong sides can volley. 

[Music plays. Enobarbus places them hand 
in hand. 

The Song 

Come, thou monarch of the vine, 

Plumply Bacchus with pink eyne! 

In thy fats our cares be drown'd, 115 

With thy grapes our hairs be crown'd: 

Cup us, till the world go round, 

Cup us, till the world go round! 

C(Zs. What would you more? Pompey, good 
night. Good brother, 
Let me request you off: our graver business 120 
Frowns at this levity. Gentle lords, let's part; 
You see we have burnt our cheeks: strong Enobarb 
Is weaker than the wine; and mine own tongue 
Splits what it speaks: the wild disguise hath almost 
Ajitick'd us all. What needs more words? Good 
night. 125 

Good Antony, your hand. 

Pom, I '11 try you on the shore. 

Ant. And shall, sir: give's your hand. 
Pom, O Antony, 

You have my father's house. — But, what ? we are 

friends. 
Come, down into the boat. 
Eno, Take heed you fall not. 

[Exeunt all hut Enobarbus and Menas. 



ANTONY AND CLCOPATRA 59 

Menas, 1 11 not on shore. 

Men. No, to my cabin. 130 

These drums! these trumpets, flutes! what! 
Let Neptune hear we bid a loud farewell 
To these great fellows : sound and be hang'd, sound 
out! [Sound a flourish, with drums, 

Eno. Ho! says a'. There's my cap. 

Men. Ho! Noble captain, come. [Exeunt. 



ACT HI. 

Scene I. A plain in Syria. 

Enter Ventidius as it were in triumph, with Silius, 
and other Romans, Officers, and Soldiers; the 
dead body of Pacurus borne before him. 

Yen. Now, darting Parthia, art thou struck; 
and now 
Pleased fortune does of Marcus Crassus' death 
Make me revenger. Bear the king's son's body 
Before our army. Thy Pacorus, Orodes, 
Pays this for Marcus Crassus. 

Sil. Noble Ventidius, 5 

Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm, 
The fugitive Parthians follow; spur through Media, 
Mesopotamia, and the shelters whither 
The routed fly: so thy grand captain Antony 
Shall set thee on triumphant chariots and 10 

Put garlands on thy head. 

Ven. O Silius, Silius, 

I have done enough; a lower place, note well. 
May make too great an act: for learn this, Silius; 
Better to leave undone, than by our deed 14 



6o ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Acquire too high a fame when him we serve 's away* 

Caesar and Antony have ever won 

More in their officer than person: Sossius, 

One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant, 

For quick accumulation of renown, 

Which he achieved by the minute, lost his favor 20 

Who does i' the wars more than his captain can 

Becomes his captain's captain: and ambition, 

The soldier's virtue, rather makes choice of loss, 

Than gain which darkens him. 

I could do more to do Antonius good, 25 

But 'tw^ould offend him; and in his offence 

Should my performance perish. 

Sil. Thou hast, Ventidius, that 

Without the which a soldier, and his sword, 
Grants scarce distinction. Thou wilt write to 
Antony ? 

Ven. I'll humbly signify what in his name, 30 
That magical word of war, we have effected; 
How, with his banners and his well-paid ranks. 
The ne'er-yet-beaten horse of Parthia 
We have jaded out o' the field. 

Sil. Where is he now? 

Ven. He purposeth to Athens: whither, with 
what haste 35 

The weight we must convey with's will permit. 
We shall appear before him. On, there; pass along! 

[Exeunt. 

Scene II. Rome, An ante-chamber in Cesar's 

house. 

Enter Agrippa at one door, Enobarbus at another. 

Agr. What, are the brothers parted? 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 6i 

Eno, They have despatched with Pompey, he is 
gone; 
The other three are sealing. Octavia weeps 
To part from Rome; Caesar is sad; and Lepidus, 
Since Pompey's feast, as Menas says, is troubled 5 
With the green sickness. 

Agr, 'Tis a noble Lepidus. 

Eno, A very fine one: O, how he loves Caesar! 

Agr. Nay, but how dearly he adores Mark An- 
tony! 

Eno. Caesar? Why, he's the Jupiter of men. 

Agr. What 's Antony ? The god of Jupiter. 10 

Eno. Spake you of Caesar ? How! the nonpareil ! 

Agr. O Antony! O thou Arabian bird! 

Eno. Would you praise Caesar, say "Caesar'': 
go no further. 

Agr. Indeed, he plied them both with excellent 
praises. 

Eno. But he loves Caesar best; yet he loves 

Antony: 15 

Ho! hearts, tongues, figures, scribes, bards, poets 

cannot 
Think, speak, cast, write, sing, number, ho! 
His love to Antony. But as for Caesar, 
Kneel down, kneel down, and wonder. 

Agr, Both he loves. 

Eno. They are his shards, and he their beetle. 
I [Trumpets within.'] So; 20 

; This is to horse. Adieu, noble Agrippa. 

Agr. Good fortune, worthy soldier; and farewell* 

Enter Caesar, Antony, Lepidus, and Octavia. 

Ant. No futthefj sir. 

Cm. You take itom me a gtciat part of myself; 



62 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Use me well in't. Sister, prove such a wife 25 

As my thoughts make thee, and as my farthest band 

Shall pass on thy approof. Most noble Antony, 

Let not the piece of virtue, which is set 

Betwixt us as the cement of our love, 

To keep it builded, be the ram to batter 30 

The fortress of it; for better might we 

Have loved without this mean, if on both parts 

This be not cherish'd. 

AnL Make me not offended 

In your distrust. 

CcBS. I have said. 

Ant. You shall not find. 

Though you be therein curious, the least cause 35 
For what you seem to fear: so, the gods keep 

you, 
And make the hearts of Romans serve your ends! 
We will here part. 

CcBs. Farewell, my dearest sister, fare thee well: 
The elements be kind to thee, and make 40 

Thy spirits all of comfort! fare thee well. 

OcL My noble brother! 

Ant. The ApriPs in her eyes: it is loves' spring, 
And these the showers to bring it on. Be cheerful. 

Oct, Sir, look well to my husband's house; and — 

C(Bs. What. 45 

Octavia ? 

Oct. I '11 tell you in your ear. 

Ant. Her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can 
Her heart inform her tongue — the swan's down- 
feather, 
That stands upon the swell at full tide, 
And neither way inclines. 50 

Eno. [Aside to Agr.] Will Caesar weep? 

Agr. [Aside to Eno.] He has a cloud in 's face. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 63 

Eno, [Aside to Agr.] He were the worse for 
that, were he a horse; 
So is he, being a man. 

Agr, [Aside to End.] Why, Enobarbus, 
When Antony found JuUus Caesar dead. 
He cried almost to roaring; and he wept 55 

When at Philippi he found Brutus slain. 

Eno. [Aside to Agr.] That year, indeed, he was 
troubled with a rheum; 
What willingly he did confound he waiPd, 
Believe 't, till I wept too. 

C(Es. No, sweet Octavia, 

You shall hear from me still; the time shall not 60 
Out-go my thinking on you. 

Ant, Come, sir, come; 

I'll wrestle with you in my strength of love: 
Look, here I have you; thus I let you go, 
And give you to the gods. 

Cces. Adieu; be happy! 

Lep. Let all the number of the stars give light 65 
To thy fair way! 

CcBs. Farewell, farewell! [Kisses Octavia. 

Ant. Farewell! 

[Trumpets sound. Exeunt^ 

Scene III. Alexandria, Cleopatra's palace. 

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas. 

Cleo. Where is the fellow? 

Alex, Half afeard to come. 

Cho. Go to, go to. 

Enter the Messenger as before. 

Come hither, sir. 



64 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Alex. Good majesty, 

Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you 
But when you are well pleased. 

Cleo. That Herod's head 

I '11 have : but how, when Antony is gone 5 

Through whom I might command it ? Come thou 
near. 

Mess. Most gracious majesty — 

Cleo. Didst thou behold Octavia? 

Mess. Ay, dread queen. 

Cleo. Where? 10 

Mess. Madam, in Rome; 
I look'd her in the face, and saw her led 
Between her brother and Mark Antony. 

Cleo. Is she as tall as me? 

Mess. She is not, madam. 

Cleo. Didst hear her speak ? is she shrill-tongued 
or low? 15 

Mess. Madam, I heard her speak; she is low- 
voiced. 

Cleo. That's not so good: he cannot like her 
long. 

Char. Like her! O Isis! 'tis impossible. 

Cleo. I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue, and 
dwarfish! 
What majesty is in her gait? Remember, 20 

If e'er thou look'dst on majesty. 

Mess. She creeps: 

Her motion and her station are as one; 
She shows a body rather than a life, 
A statue than a breather. 

Cleo. Is this certain ? 'jJM 

Mess. Or I have no observance. • - 

Char. Three in Egypt 25 

Cannot make better note. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 6s 

Cleo, He's very knowing; 

I do perceive 't: there's nothing in her yet: 
The fellow has good judgment. 

Char, Excellent. 

Cleo. Guess at her years, I prithee. 

Mess. Madam, 

She was a widow — 

Cleo, Widow! Charmian, hark. 30 

Mess. And I do think she 's thirty. 

Cleo. Bear'st thou her face in mind? is't long 
or round? 

Mess. Round even to faultiness. 

Cleo. For the most part, too, they are foolish 
that are so. 
Her hair, what color? 35 

Mess. Brown, madam: and her forehead 
As low as she would wish it. 

Cleo. There's gold for thee. 

Thou must not take my former sharpness ill: 
I will employ thee back again; I find thee 
More fit for business: go make thee ready; 40 

Our letters are prepared. [Exit Messenger. 

Char. A proper man. 

Cleo. Indeed, he is so: I repent me much 
That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him. 
This creature's no such thing. 

Char. Nothing, madam. 

Cleo. The man hath seen some majesty, and 
should know. 45 

Char. Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend. 
And serving you so long! 

Cleo. I have one thing more to ask him yet, good 
Charmian: 
But 'tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to me 
Where I will write. All may be well enough. 50 



66 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Char, I warrant you, madam. \ExeunL 

Scene IV. Athens, A room in Antonyms house. 
Enter Antony and Octavia. 

Ant. Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that — 
That were excusable, that, and thousands more 
Of semblance import — but he hath waged 
New wars 'gainst Pompey; made his will, and read it 
To public ear; 5 

Spoke scantly of me: when perforce he could not 
But pay me terms of honor, cold and sickly 
He vented them; most narrow measure lent me: 
When the best hint was given him, he not took 't. 
Or did it from his teeth. 

Oct. O my good lord, 10 

Believe not all; or, if you must believe. 
Stomach not all. A more unhappy lady, 
If this division chance, ne'er stood between, 
Prapng for both parts: 

The good gods will mock me presently, 15 

When I shall pray, " O, bless my lord and husband! " 
Undo that prayer, by crying out as loud, 
*^ O, bless my brother ! " Husband win, win brother. 
Prays, and destroys the prayer; no midway 
'Twixt these extremes at all. 

. Ant. Gentle Octavia, 20 

Let your best love draw to that point, which seeks 
Best to preserve it: if I lose mine honor, 
I lose myself: better I wer^ not yours 
Than yours so branchless. But, as you requested. 
Yourself shall go between 's : the mean time, lady, 2 5 
I '11 raise the preparation of a v/ar 
Shall stain your brother: make your soonest haste; 



ANTOKY AND CLEOPATRA 67 

So your desires are yours. 

Oct. Thanks to my lord. 

The Jove of power make me most weak, most weak, 
Your reconciler! Wars 'twixt you twain would be 
As if the world should cleave, and that slain men 3 1 
Should solder up the rift. 

Ant. When it appears to you w^here this begins. 
Turn your displeasure that way; for our faults 
Can never be so equal, that your love 35 

Can equally move with them. Provide your going; 
Choose your own company, and command what cost 
Your heart has mind to. \Eoceunt. 



Scene V. The same. Another room. 
Enter Enobarbus and Eros, meeting. 

Eno. How now, friend Eros! 

Eros. There's strange news come, sir. 

Eno. What, man? 

Eros. Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon 
Pompey. 

Eno. This is old: w^hat is the success? 5 

Eros. Caesar, having made use of him in the wars 
'gainst Pompey, presently denied him rivality ; would 
not let him partake in the glory of the action: and 
not resting here, accuses him of letters he had for- 
merly wrote to Pompey; upon his own appeal, seizes 
him: so the poor third is up, till death enlarge his 
confine. 12 

Eno. Then, world, thou hast a pair of chaps, no 
more ; 
And throw between them all the food thou hast 
They '11 grind the one the other. Where 's Antony ? 



68 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Eros, He's walking in the garden — thus; and 
spurns I 6 

The rush that Ues before him; cries, " Fool Lepidus!" 
And threats the throat of that his officer 
That murder'd Pompey. 

Eno. Our great navy's rigg'd. 

Eros. For Italy and Caesar. More, Domitius; 20 
My lord desires you presently: my news 
I might have told hereafter. 

Eno. 'Twill be naught: 

But let it be. Bring me to Antony. 

Eros, Come, sir. {Exeunt, 

Scene VI. Rome, Ccesafs house. 
Enter Caesar, Agrippa, and Mec^enas. 

C(BS, Contemning Rome, he has done all this, 
and more. 
In Alexandria: here's the manner oft: 
I' the market place, on a tribunal silver'd, 
Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold 
Were publicly enthroned: at the feet sat 5 

Caesarion, whom they call my father's son, 
And all the unlawful issue that their lust 
Since then hath made between them. Unto her 
He gave the stablishment of Egypt; made her 
Of Lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia, 10 

Absolute queen. 

Mec. This in the. public eye? 

Cces, V the common show-place, where they 
exercise. 
His son he there proclaim 'd the king of kings: 
Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia, 
He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy he assigned 15 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 69 

Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia: she 

In the habiliments of the goddess Isis 

That day appear'd; and oft before gave audience, 

As 'tis reported, so. 

Mec. Let Rome be thus 

Informed. 

Agr. Who, queasy with his insolence 20 

Already, will their good thoughts call from him. 

CcBs. The people know it; and have now received 
His accusations. 

Agr. Who does he accuse? 

CcBs. Caesar: and that, having in Sicily 
Sextus Pompeius spoiPd, we had not rated him 25 
His part o' the isle: then does he say, he lent me 
Some shipping unrestored: lastly, he frets 
That Lepidus of the triumvirate 
Should be deposed; and, being, that we detain 
All his revenue. 

Agr. Sir, this should be answered. 30 

CcBs, 'Tis done already, and the messenger gone. 
I have told him, Lepidus w^as grown too cruel; 
That he his high authority abused. 
And did deserve his change: for what I have con- 
quered, 
I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia, 35 
And other of his conquered kingdoms, I 
Demand the like. 

Mec. He'll never yield to that. 

C(ZS. Nor must not then be yielded to in this. 

Enter Octavia with her train. 

Oct. Hail, Caesar, and my lord! hail, most dear 

Caesar! 
C(Es. That ever I should call thee castaway! 40 



70 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Oct. You have not calPd me so, nor have you 

cause. 
C(Bs, Why have you stoPn upon us thus? You 
come not 
Like Caesar's sister: the v^ife of Antony 
Should have an army for an usher, and 
The neighs of horse to tell of her approach 45 

Long ere she did appear; the trees by the way 
Should have borne men; and expectation fainted, 
Longing for what it had not; nay, the dust 
Should have ascended to the roof of heaven. 
Raised by your populous troops: but you are 
come 50 

A market-maid to Rome; and have prevented 
The ostentation of our love, which, left unshown. 
Is often left unloved: we should have met you 
By sea and land; supplying every stage 
With an augmented greeting. 

Oct. Good my lord, 55 

To come thus was I not constrained, but did 
On my free will. My lord, Mark Antony, 
Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted 
My grieved ear withal; whereon, I begg'd 
His pardon for return. 

Cces. Which soon he granted, 60 

Being an obstruct 'tween his lust and him. 

Oct. Do not say so, my lord. 

Cc^s. I have eyes upon him 

And his affairs come to me on the wind. 
Where is he now? 

Oct. My lord, in Athens. 

C(BS. No, my most wronged sister; Cleopatra 65 
Hath nodded him to her; who now are levying 
The kings o' the earth for war: he hath assembled 
Bocchus, the king of Libya; Archelaus, 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 71 

Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, king 

Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas; 70 

King Malchus of Arabia; King of Pont; 

Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, king 

Of Comagene; Polemon and Amyntas, 

The kings of Mede and Lycaonia, 

With a more larger list of spectres. 

Oct. Ah me, most wretched, 75 

That have my heart parted betwixt two friends 
That do afflict each other! 

C(Bs, Welcome hither: 

Your letters did withhold our breaking forth; 
Till we perceived, both how you were wrong led. 
And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart : 80 
Be you not troubled with the time, which drives 
O'er your content these strong necessities; 
But let determined things to destiny 
Hold unbewaiPd their way. Welcome to Rome; 
Nothing more dear to me. You are abused 85 
Beyond the mark of thought: and the high gods. 
To do you justice, make them ministers 
Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort; 
And ever welcome to us. 

Agr. Welcome, lady. 

Mer, Welcome, dear madam. 90 

Each heart in Rome does love and pity you: 
Only the adulterous Antony, most large 
In his abominations, turns you off; 
And gives his potent regiment to a trull, 
That noises it against us. 

Oct. Is it so, sir? 95 

Cc^s. Most certain. Sister, welcome: pray you, 
Be ever known to patience: my dear'st sister! 

[Exeunt. 



72 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Scene VII. Near AcHum. Antony's camp. 
Enter Cleopatra and Enobarbus. 

Cleo, I will be even with thee, doubt it not. 

Eno. But why, why, why? 

Cleo. Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars, 
And say'st it is not fit. 

Eno. Well, is it, is it? 

Cleo. If now denounced against us, why should 
not we 5 

Be there in person? 

Eno. [Aside.] Well, I could reply. 

Cleo. What is't you say? 

Eno. Your presence needs must puzzle Antony; 
Take from his heart, take from his brain, from's 

time, 
What should not then be spared. He is already lo 
Traduced for levity; and 'tis said in Rome 
That Photinus an eunuch and your maids 
Manage this war. 

Cleo. Sink Rome, and their tongues rot 

That speak against us! A charge we bear i' the war, 
And, as the president of my kingdom, will 15 

Appear there for a man. Speak not against it; 
I will not stay behind. 

Eno. Nay, I have done. 

Here comes the emperor. 

Enter Antony and Canidius. 

Ant. Is it not strange, Canidius, 

That from Tarentum and Brundusium 
He could so quickly cut the Ionian sea, 20 

And take in Toryne ? You have heard on 't, sweet ? 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 73 

Cleo. Celerity is never more admired 
Than by the negligent. 

Ant, A good rebuke, 

Which might have well becomed the best of men, 
To taunt at slackness. Canidius, we 25 

Will fight with him by sea. 

Cleo. By sea! what else? 

Can, Why will my lord do so? 

Ant. For that he dares us to't. 

Eno. So hath my lord dared him to single fight. 

Can. Ay, and to wage this battle at Pharsalia, 
Where Caesar fought with Pompey: but these offers. 
Which serve not for his vantage, he shakes off; 31 
And so should you. 

Eno, Your ships are not well manned; 

Your mariners are muleters, reapers, people 
Ingross'd by swift impress; in Caesar's fleet 
Are those that often have 'gainst Pompey fought : 3 5 
Their ships are yare; yours, heavy: no disgrace 
Shall fall you for refusing him at sea, 
Being prepared for land. 

Ant. By sea, by sea. 

Eno. Most worthy sir, you therein throw away 
The absolute soldiership you have by land; 40 
Distract your army, which doth most consist 
Of war-mark'd footmen; leave unexecuted 
Your own renowned knowledge; quite forego 
The way which promises assurance; and 
Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard, 45 
From firm security. 

Ant. I'll fight at sea. 

Cleo. I have sixty sails, Caesar none better. 

Ant. Our overplus of shipping will we burn; 
And, with the rest full-mann'd, from the head of 
Actium 



74 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Beat the approaching Caesar. But if we fail, 50 
We then can do't at land. 

Enter a Messenger. 

Thy business? 

Mess. The news is true, my lord; he is descried; 
Caesar has taken Toryne. 

Ant. Can he be there in person ? 'tis impossible ; 
Strange that his power should be. Canidius, 55 
Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land, 
And our twelve thousand horse. We'll to our ship: 
Away my Thetis! 

Enter a Soldier. 

How now, worthy soldier! 

Sold. O noble emperor, do not fight by sea; 
Trust not to rotten planks: do you misdoubt 60 
This sword and these my wounds? Let the Egyp- 
tians 
And the Phoenicians go a-ducking: we 
Have used to conquer, standing on the earth. 
And fighting foot to foot. 

Ant. Well, well: away! 

[Exeunt Antony, Cleopatra, and Enobarbus. 

Sold. By Hercules, I think I am i' the right. 65 

Can. Soldier, thou art: but his whole action 
grows 
Not in the power on't: so our leader's led, 
And we are women's men. 

Sold. You keep by land 

The legions and the horse whole, do you not? 

Can. Marcus Octavius, Maricus Justeius, 70 
Publicola, and Caelius, are for sea: 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 75 

But we keep whole by land. This speed of Caesar's 
Carries beyond belief. 

Sold. While he was yet in Rome, 

His power went out in such distractions as 
Beguiled all spies. 

Can. Who's his lieutenant, hear you? 75 

Sold. They say, one Taurus. 

Can Well I know the man. 

Enter a Messenger. 

Mess. The emperor calls Canidius. 
Can. With news the time 's with labor, and throes 
forth. 
Each minute, some. [Exeunt. 

Scene VIII. A plain near Actium. 
Enter Caesar, and Taurus, with his army, marching 

CcEs. Taurus! 

Taur, My lord ? 

Cces. Strike not by land; keep whole: provoke 
not battle, 
Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed 
The prescript of. this scroll : our fortune lies 5 

Upon this jump. [Exeunt. 

Scene IX. Another part of the plain. 

Enter Antony and Enobarbus. 

Ant. Set we our squadrons on yond side o' the 
hill 
In eye of Caesar's battle; from which place 



76 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

We may the number of the ships behold, 

And so proceed accordingly. [Exeunt, 

Scene X. Another part of the plain 

Canidius marcheth with his land army one way over 
the stage; and Taurus, the lieutenant of Caesar 
the other way. After their going in, is heard 
the noise of a sea-fight. 

Alarum, Enter Enobarbus. 

Eno. Naught, naught, naught! I can hold no 
longer : 
The Antoniad, the Egyptian admiral. 
With all their sixty, fly and turn the rudder: 
To see't mine eyes are blasted. 

Enter Scarus. 

Scar, Gods and goddesses, 

All the whole synod of them! 

Eno. What 's thy passion ? 5 

Scar, The greater cantle of the v/orld is lost 
With very ignorance; we have kiss'd away 
Kingdoms and provinces. 

Eno. How appears the fight? 

Scar. On our side like the token 'd pestilence, 
Where death is sure. Yon ribaudred nag of Egypt — 
Whom leprosy overtake! — i' the midst o' the fight, 1 1 
When vantage Hke a pair of'tvv^ins appeared. 
Both as the same, or rather ours the elder, 
The breese upon her, like a cow in June, 
Hoists sails and flies. 15 

Eno. That I beheld: 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 77 

Mine eyes did sicken at the sight, and could not 
Endure a further view. 

Scar, She once being loof'd, 

The noble ruin of her magic, Antony, 
Claps on his sea- wing, and, like a doting mallard, 20 
Leaving the fight in height, flies after her: 
I never saw an action of such shame; 
Experience, manhood, honor, ne'er before 
Did violate so itself. 

Eno, Alack, alack! 

Enter Canidius. 

Can. Our fortune on the sea is out of breath, 25 
And sinks most lamentably. Had our general 
Been what he knew himself, it had gone well : 
O, he has given example for our flight. 
Most grossly, by his own! 

Eno, Ay, are you thereabouts? 

Why, then, good night indeed. 30 

Can, Toward Peloponnesus are they fled. 

Scar. 'Tis easy to't; and there I will attend 
What further comes. 

Can. To Caesar will I render 

My legions and my horse: six kings already 
Show me the way of yielding. 

Eno. I'll yet follow 35 

The wounded chance of Antony, though my reason 
Sits in the wind against me. \Exeunt. 

Scene XL Alexandria, Cleopatra's palace. 

Enter Antony with Attendants. 

Ant. Hark! the land bids me tread no more 
upon't; 



78 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

It is ashamed to bear me! Friends, come hither: 

I am so lated in the world, that I 

Have lost my way for ever: I have a ship 

Laden with gold; take that, divide it; fly, 5 

And make your peace with Caesar. 

All. Fly! not we. 

Ant, I have fled myself; and have instructed 
cowards 
To run and show their shoulders. Friends, be gone; 
I have myself resolved upon a course 
Which has no need of you; be gone: 10 

My treasure's in the harbor, take it. O, 
I follow 'd that I blush to look upon: 
My very hairs do mutiny; for the white 
Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them 
For fear and doting. Friends, be gone : you shall 1 5 
Have letters from me to some friends that will 
Sweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad, 
Nor make replies of loathness: take the hint 
Which my despair proclaims; let that be left 
Which leaves itself: to the sea-side straightway: 20 
I will possess you of that ship and treasure. 
Leave me, I pray, a little: pray you now: 
Nay, do so; for indeed, I have lost command. 
Therefore I pray you: I'll see you by and by. 

[Sits down. 

Enter Cleopatra led by Charmian and Iras; 
Eros following. 

Eros. Nay, gentle madam, to him, comfort him. 
Iras. Do, most dear queen. 26 

Char. Do! why: what else? 
Cleo. Let me sit down. O Juno! 
Ant, No, no, no, no, no. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 79 

Eros, See you here, sir? 30 

Ant. O fie, fie, fie! 

Char. Madam! 

Iras. Madam, O good empress! 

Eros. Sir, sir — 

Ant. Yes, my lord, yes; he at Philippi kept 35 
His sword e'en like a dancer: while I struck 
The lean and wrinkled Cassius; and 'twas I 
That the mad Brutus ended: he alone 
Dealt on lieutenantry, and no practice had 
In the brave squares of war : yet now — No matter. 

Cleo. Ah, stand by. 41 

Eros. The queen, my lord, the queen. 

Iras. Go to him, madam, speak to him: 
He is unquaUtied with very shame. 

Cleo. Well then, sustain me: O! 45 

Eros. Most noble sir, arise; the queen ap- 
proaches : 
Her head's declined, and death will seize her, but 
Your comfort makes the rescue. 

Ant. I have offended reputation, 
A most unnoble swerving. 

Eros. Sir, the queen. 50 

Ant. O, whither hast thou led me, Egypt ? See, 
How I convey my shame out of thine eyes 
By looking back what I have left behind 
Stroy'd in dishonor. 

Cleo. O my lord, my lord. 

Forgive my fearful sails! I Httle thought 55 

You would have followed. 

Ant. Egypt, thou knew'st too well 

My heart was to my rudder tied by the strings. 
And thou shouldst tow me after: o'er my spirit 
Thy full supremacy thou knew'st, and that 
Thy beck might from the bidding of the gods 60 



8o ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Command me. 

Cleo, O, my pardon! 

Ant. Now I must 

To the young man send humble treaties, dodge 
And palter in the shifts of lowness; who 
With half the bulk o' the world played as I pleased, 
Making and marring fortunes. You did know 65 
How much you were my conqueror; and that 
My sword, made weak by my affection, would 
Obey it on all cause. 

Cleo, Pardon, pardon! 

Ant. Fall not a tear, I say; one of them rates 
All that is won and lost: give me a kiss; 70 

Even this repays me. We sent our schoolmaster; 
Is he come back? Love, I am full of lead. 
Some wine, within there, and our viands! Fortune 

knows 
We scorn her most when most she offers blows. 

[Exeunt. 

Scene XII. Egypt. Ccesafs camp. 

Enter Cesar, Dolabella, Thyreus, with others. 

Cces. Let him appear that 's come from Antony. 
Know you him? 

Dol. Caesar, 'tis his schoolmaster: 

An argument that he is pluck'd, when hither 
He sends so poor a pinion of his wing. 
Which had superfluous kings for messengers 5 

Not many moons gone byl 

Enter Euphronius, ambassador from Antony. 

Cces. Approach, and speak. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 8i 

Euph, Such as I am, I come from Antony: 
I was of late as petty to his ends 
As is the morn-dew on the myrtle-leaf 
To his grand sea. 

Cas. Be't so: declare thine office. lo 

Euph. Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and 
Requires to live in Egypt: which not granted, 
He lessens his requests; and to thee sues 
To let him breathe between the heavens and earth, 
A private man in Athens: this for him. 15 

Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness; 
Submits her to thy might; and of thee craves 
The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs, 
Now hazarded to thy grace. 

Cas. For Antony, 

I have no ears to his request. The queen 20 

Of audience nor desire shall fail, so she 
From Egypt drive her all-disgraced friend, 
Or take his life there: this if she perform. 
She shall not sue unheard. So to them both. 

Euph. Fortune pursue thee! 

CcBs. Bring him through the bands. 25 

[Exit EUPHRONIUS. 

[To Thyreus.] To try thy eloquence, now 'tis 

time: despatch; 
From Antony win Cleopatra: promise, 
And in our name, what she requires; add more. 
From thine invention, offers: women are not 
In their best fortunes strong; but want will perjure 
The ne'er-touch'd vestal: try thy cunning, Thyreus; 
Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we 
Will answer as a law. 

Thyr. Caesar, I go. 

C(Bs. Observe how Antony becomes his flaw, 
And what thou think'st his very action speaks 35 



82 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

In every power that moves. 

Thyr, Caesar, I shall. [Exeunt. 

Scene XIII. Alexandria, Cleopatra's palace. 

Enter Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmlvn, and 

Iras. 

Cleo. What shall we do, Enobarbus? 

Eno. Think, and die. 

Cleo Is Antony or we in fault for this? 

Eno, Antony only, that would make his will 
Lord of his reason. What though you fled 
From that great face of war, whose several ranges 5 
Frighted each other ? why should he follow ? 
The itch of his affection should not then 
Have nick'd his captainship; at such a point. 
When half to half the world opposed, he being 
The meered question: 'twas a shame no less 10 
Than was his loss, to course your flying flags, 
And leave his navy gazing. 

Cleo, Prithee, peace. 

Enter Antony with Euphronius, the Ambassador. 

Ant, Is that his answer? 

Euph, Ay, my lord. 

A nt. The queen shall then have courtesy, so she 1 5 
Will yield us up. 

Euph, He says so. 

Ant. Let her know't. 

To the boy Caesar send this grizzled head, 
And he will fill thy wishes to the brim 
With principalities. 

Cleo, That head, my lord? 

Ant. To him again: tell him he wears the rose 20 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 83 

Of youth upon him; from which the world should 

note 
Something particular: his coin, ships, legions. 
May be a coward's ; whose ministers would prevail 
Under the service of a child as soon 
As i' the command of Caesar: I dare him therefore 
To lay his gay comparisons apart, 26 

And answer me declined, sword against sword. 
Ourselves alone. I'll write it: follow me. 

{Exeunt Antony and Euphronius. 
Eno, [Aside.'] Yes, like enough, high-battled 

Caesar will 
Unstate his happiness, and be staged to the show, 30 
Against a sworder! I see men's judgments are 
A parcel of their fortunes; and things outward 
Do draw the inward quality after them, 
To suffer all aHke. That he should dream. 
Knowing all measures, the full Caesar will 
Answer his emptiness: Caesar, thou hast subdued 
His judgment too. 

Enter an Attendant. 



Att, A messenger from Caesar. 

Cleo, What, no more ceremony? See, my wo- 
men! 
Against the blown rose may they stop their nose 
That kneel'd unto the buds. Admit him, sir, 40 

[Exit Attendant. 
Eno. [Aside."] Mine honesty and I begin to 
square. 
The loyalty well held to fools does make 
Our faith mere folly: yet he that can endure 
To follow with allegiance a fall'n lord 



84 ANTONY AND CLEOEATRA 

Does conquer him that did his master conquer, 45 
And earns a place i' the story. 

Enter Thyreus. 

Cleo, Caesar's will? 

Thyr. Hear it apart. 

Cleo, None but friends: say boldly. 

Thyr, So, haply, are they friends to Antony. 

Eno. He needs as many, sir, as Caesar has; 
Or needs not us. If Caesar please, our master 50 
Will leap to be his friend: for us, you know 
Whose he is we are, and that is, Caesar. 

Thyr, So. 

Thus then, thou most renowned: Caesar entreats. 
Not to consider in what case thou stand'st. 
Further than he is Caesar. 

Cleo. Go on: right royal. 55 

Thyr, He knows that you embrace not Antony 
As you did love, but as you fear'd him. 

Cleo, O! 

Thyr. The scars upon your honor, therefore, he 
Does pity, as constrained blemishes, 
Not as deserved. 

Cleo, He is a god, and knows 60 

What is most right: mine honor was not yielded, 
But conquer'd merely. 

Eno, [A side. 1 To be sure of that, 

I will ask Antony. Sir, sir, thou art so leaky, 
That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for 
Thy dearest quit thee. [Exit. 

Thyr, Shall I say to Caesar 65 

What you require of him ? for he partly begs 
To be desired to give. It much would please him, 
That of his fortunes you should make a staff 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 85 

To lean upon: but it would warm his spirits, 
To hear from me you had left Antony, 70 

And put yourself under his shrowd, 
The universal landlord. 

Cleo. What 's your name ? 

Thyr, My name is Thyreus. 

Cleo, Most kind messenger, 

Say to the great Caesar this: in deputation 
I kiss his conquering hand : tell him, I am prompt 7 5 
To lay my crown at's feet, and there to kneel: 
Tell him, from his all-obeying breath I hear 
The doom of Egypt. 

Thyr. 'Tis your noblest course. 

Wisdom and fortune combating together, 
If that the former dare but what it can, 80 

No chance may shake it. Give me grace to lay 
My duty on your hand. 

Cleo. Your Caesar's father oft, 

When he hath mused of taking kingdoms in, 
Bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place. 
As it rain'd kisses. 

Re-enter Antony and Enobarbus. 

Ant. Favors, by Jove that thunders! 85 

What art thou, fellow? 

Thyr. One that but performs 

The bidding of the fullest man, and worthiest 
To have command obey'd. 

Eno. [Aside.'l You will be whipped. 

Ant. Approach there ! Ah, you kite ! Now, gods 
and devils! 
Authority melts from me: of late, when I cried 
"Ho!" 90 

Like boys unto a muss, kings would start forth, 



86 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

And cry ''Your will?" Have you no ears? I am 
Antony yet. 

Enter Attendants. 

Take hence this Jack, and whip him. 

Eno, [Aside. 1 'Tis better playing with a lion's 
whelp 
Than with an old one dying. 

Ant. Moon and stars! 95 

Whip him. Were 't twenty of the greatest tributaries 
That do acknowledge Caesar, should I find them 
So saucy wdth the hand of she here — what 's her 

name, 
Since she was Cleopatra ? Whip him, fellows, 
Till, like a boy, you see him cringe his face, 100 

And whine aloud for mercy: take him hence. 

Thyr. Mark Antony! 

Ant, ' Tug him away: being whipp'd, 

Bring him again: this Jack of Caesar's shall 
Bear us an errand to him. 

[Exeunt Attendants with Thyreus. 
You were half blasted ere I knew you: ha! 105 
Have I my pillow left unpress'd in Rome, 
Forborne the getting of a lawful race. 
And by a gem of women, to be abused 
By one that looks on feeders? 

Cleo, Good my lord — 

Ant. You have been a boggier ever: no 

But when we in our viciousness grow hard — 
O misery on't! — the wise gods seel our eyes; 
In our own filth drop our clear judgments; make us 
Adore our errors; laugh at's, while we strut 
To our confusion. 

Cleo. O, is't come to this? 115 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 87 

Ant. I found you as a morsel cold upon 
Dead Caesar ^s trencher; nay, you were a fragment 
Of Cneius Pompey's; besides what hotter hours, 
Unregister'd in vulgar fame, you have 
Luxuriously picked out: for, I am sure, 120 

Though you can guess what temperance should be, 
You know not what it is. 

Cleo, Wherefore is this? 

Ant. To let a fellow that will take rewards 
And say "God quit you!" be familiar with 
My playfellow, your hand; this kingly seal 125 
And plighter of high hearts! O, that I were 
Upon the hill of Basan, to outroar 
The horned herd! for I have savage cause; 
And to proclaim it civilly, were like 
A halter 'd neck which does the hangman thank 1 30 
For being yare about him. 

Re-enter Attendants with Thyreus. 

Is he whipped? 

First Att. Soundly, my lord. 

Ant. Cried he? and begg'd a' pardon? 

First Att. He did ask favor. 

Ant. If that thy father live, let him repent 
Thou wast not made his daughter; and be thou 
sorry ^ ^ 135 

To follow Caesar in his triumph, since 
Thou hast been whipped for following him: hence- 
forth 
The white hand of a lady fever thee. 
Shake thou to look on't. Get thee back to Caesar. 
Tell him thy entertainment: look, thou say 140 
He makes me angry with him; for he seems 
Proud and disdainful, harping on what I am, 



88 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Not what he knew I was: he makes me angry; 

And at this time most easy 'tis to do 't, 

When my good stars, that were my former guides, 

Have empty left their orbs, and shot their fires 146 

Into the abysm of hell. If he mislike 

My speech and what is done, tell him he has 

Hipparchus, my enfranched bondman, whom 

He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture, 150 

As he shall like, to quit me: urge it thou: 

Hence with thy stripes, begone! [Exit Thyruse. 

Cleo, Have you done yet ? 

AnL Alack, our terrene moon 

Is now eclipsed; and it portends alone 
The fall of Antony! 

Cleo. I must stay his time. 155 

Ant. To flatter Caesar, would you mingle eyes 
With one that ties his points? 

Cleo. Not know me yet ? 

Ant. Cold-hearted toward me? 

Cleo. Ah, dear, if I be so, 

From my cold heart let heaven engender hail. 
And poison it in the source ; and the first stone 1 60 
Drop in my neck: as it determines, so 
Dissolve my life! The next Csesarion smite! 
Till by degrees the memory of my womb, 
Together with my brave Egyptians all, 
By the discandying of this pelleted storm, 165 

Lie graveless, till the flies and gnats of Nile 
Have buried them for prey! 

Ant. I am satisfied. 

Caesar sits down in Alexandria; where 
I will oppose his fate. Our force by land 
Hath nobly held; our severed navy too 170 

Have knit again, and fleet, threatening most sea- 
like. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 89 

Where hast thou been, my heart ? Dost thou hear, 

lady? 
If from the field I shall return once more 
To kiss these lips, I will appear in blood; 
I and my sword will earn our chronicle: 175 

There 's hope in 't yet. 

Cleo. That's my brave lord! 

AnL I will be treble-sinew 'd, hearted, breathed. 
And fight maliciously: for when mine hours 
Were nice and lucky, men did ransom lives 180 
Of me for jests; but now I'll set my teeth, 
And send to darkness all that stop me. Come, 
Let's have one other gaudy night: call to me 
All my sad captains; fill our bowls once more; 
Let's mock the midnight bell. 

Cleo. It is my birth-day: 185 

I had thought to have held it poor ; but, since my lord 
Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra. 

Ant. We will yet do well. 

Cleo. Call all his noble captains to my lord. 

Ant. Do so, we'll speak to them; and to-night 

I'll force 190 

The wine peep through their scars. Come on, my 

queen; 
There's sap in't yet. The next time I do fight, 
I'll make death love me; for I will contend 
Even with his pestilent scythe. 

[Exeunt all but Enobarbus. 

Eno. Now he'll outstare the lightning. To be 
furious, 195 

Is to be frighted out of fear; and in that mood 
The dove will peck the estridge; and I see still, 
A diminution in our captain's brain 
Restores his heart: when valor preys on reason. 
It eats the sword it fights with. I will seek 200 
Some way to leave him. [Exit. 



90 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

ACT IV. 

Scene I. Before Alexandria. C^sar^s camp. 

Enter Caesar, Agrippa, and Mec^nas, with his 
Army; Caesar reading a letter. 

CcBs. He calls me boy; and chides, as he had 
power 
To beat me out of Egypt; my messenger 
He hath whipp'd with rods; dares me to personal 

combat, 
Caesar to Antony: let the old ruffian know 
I have other ways to die; meantime 5 

Laugh at his challenge. 

Mec. Caesar must think, 

When one so great begins to rage, he's hunted 
Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now 
Make boot of his distraction: never anger 
Made good guard for itself. 

Cces, Let our best heads 10 

Know, that to-morrow the last of many battles 
We mean to fight: within our files there are. 
Of those that served Mark Antony but late, 
Enough to fetch him in. See it done: 
And feast the army; we have stores to do't, 15 
And they have earn'd the waste. Poor Antony! 

[Exeunt. 

Scene II. Alexandria. Cleopatra's palace. 

Enter Antony, Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Char- 
MIAN, Iras, Alexas, with others. 

Ant. He will not fight with me, Domitius. 
Eno. No. 

Ant. Why should he not? 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 91 

Eno. He thinks, being twenty times of better 
fortune, 
He is twenty men to one. 

Ant, To-morrow, soldier, 

By sea and land I '11 fight : or I will live, 5 

Or bathe my dying honor in the blood 
Shall make it live again. Woo't thou fight well? 

Eno. I'll strike, and cry "Take all." 

Ant. Well said; come on. 

Call forth my household servants: let's to-night 
Be bounteous at our meal. 



Enter three or jour Servitors. 

Give me thy hand, 10 
Thou hast been rightly honest; — so hast thou; — 
Thou — and thou — and thou : — you have served 

me well 
And kings have been your fellows. 

Cleo. [Aside to ^^o.] What means this? 

Eno. [Aside to Cleo.] 'Tis one of those odd 
tricks which sorrow shoots 
Out of the mind. 

Ant. And thou art honest too. 15 

I wish I could be made so many men, 
And all of you clapp'd up together in 
An Antony, that I might do you ser.vice 
So good as you have done. 

All. The gods forbid! 

Ant. Well, my good fellows, wait on me to-night: 
Scant not my cups; and make as much of me 21 
As when mine empire was your fellow too. 
And suffered my command. 

Cleo. [Aside to Eno.] What does he mean ? 



92 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Eno, [Aside to Cleo.] To make his followers 
weep. 

Ant. Tend me to-night; 

May be it is the period of your duty: 25 

Haply you shall not see me more; or if, 
A mangled shadow: perchance to-morrow 
You'll serve another master. I look on you 
As one that takes his leave. Mine honest friends, 
I turn you not away; but, like a master 30 

Married to your good service, stay till death: 
Tend me to-night two hojLirs, I ask no more. 
And the gods yield you for't! 

Eno, What mean you, sir. 

To give them this discomfort? Look, they weep; 
And I, an ass, am onion-eyed: fpr shame, 35 

Transform us not to women. 

Ant. Ho, ho, ho J 

Now the witch take me, if I meant it thus! 
Grace grow where those drops fall! My hearty 

friends, 
You take me in too dolorous a sense; 
For I spake to you for your comfort; did desire you 
To burn this night with torches : know, my hearts, 4 1 
I hope well of to-morrow; and will lead you 
Where rather I '11 expect victorious life 
Than death and honor. Let's to supper, come. 
And drown consideration. [Exeunt. 45 

Sc£ne hi. The same. Before the palace. 

Enter two Soldiers to their guard. 

First Sold. Brother, good night: to-morrow is 

the day. 
Sec. Sold. It will determine one way : fare you well. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 93 

Heard you of nothing strange about the streets? 
First Sold, Nothing. What news? 
Sec. Sold. Belike 'tis but a rumor. Good night 
to you. 5 

First Sold. Well sir, good night. 

Enter two other Soldiers. 

Sec. Sold. Soldiers, have careful watch. 

Third Sold. And you. Good night, good night. 

[They place themselves in every corner 0} the stage. 

Fourth Sold. Here we: and if to-morrow 
Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope 10 

Our landmen will stand up. 

Third Sold. 'Tis a brave army. 

And full of purpose. 

[Music of the hautboys^ as under the stage. 

Fourth Sold. Peace! what noise? 

First Sold. List, list! 

Sec. Sold. Hark! 



First Sold. 


Music i' 


the 


air. 




Third Sold. 






Under the earth. 


Fourth Sold. It 


signs wellj 


, does it not ? 




Third Sold. 






No. 




First Sold. 






Peace, 


I say! 


Tiat should this mean ? 






^5 



Sec. Sold. 'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony 
loved. 
Now leaves him. 

First Sold. Walk; let's see if other watchmen 
Do hear what we do. [They advance to another post. 

Sec. Sold. How now, masters! 

All. [Speaking together.] How now! 

How now! do you hear this? 

First Sold. Ay; is't not strange? 20 



94 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Third Sold, Do you hear, masters ? do you hear ? 
First Sold. Follow the noise so far as we have 

quarter; 
Let's see how it will give off. 
AIL Content. 'Tis strange. [Exeunt, 

Scene IV. The same. A room in the palace. 

Enter Antony and Cleopatra, Charmian, and 
others attending. 

Ant. Eros! mine armour, Eros! 
Cleo. Sleep a Uttle. 

Ant. No, my chuck. Eros, come; mine armor, 
Eros! 

Enter Eros with armor. 

Come, good fellow, put mine iron on: 
If fortune be not ours to-day, it is 
Because we brave her: come. 

Cleo. Nay, I '11 help too. 5 

What's this for? 

Ant. Ah, let be, let be! thou art 

The armorer of my heart: false, false; this, this. 

Cleo. Sooth, la, I'll help: thus it must be. 

Ant. WeU, well: 

We shall thrive now. Seest thou, my good fellow ? 
Go put on thy defences. 

Eros. Briefly, sir. 10 

Cleo. Is not this buckled well ? 

Ant. Rarely, rarely: 

He that unbuckles this, till we do please 
To daff 't for our repose, shall hear a storm. 
Thou fumblest, Eros; and my queen's a squire 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 95 

More tight at this than thou: despatch. O love 15 
That thou couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st 
The royal occupation! thou shouldst see 
A workman in 't. 



Enter an armed Soldier. 

Good morrow to thee; welcome: 
Thou look'st like him that knows a warlike charge: 
To business that we love we rise betime, 20 

And go to 't with delight. 

Sold. A thousand, sir, 

Early though 't be, have on their riveted trim. 
And at the port expect you. 

[Shout. Trumpets -flourish. 

Enter Captains and Soldiers. 

Capt. The morn is fair. Good morrow, general. 

All. Good morrow, general. 

Ant. 'Tis well blown, lads: 25 

This morning, like the spirit of a youth 
That means to be of note, begins betimes. 
So, so; come, give me that: this way; well said. 
Fare thee well, dame, whatever becomes of me: 
This is a soldier's kiss: rebukable [Kisses her. 30 
And worthy shameful check it were, to stand 
On more mechanic compliment; I'll leave thee 
Now, like a man of steel. You that will fight, 
Follow me close; I'll bring you to't. Adieu. 

[Exeunt Antony, Eros, Captains, and Soldiers. 

Char. Please you, retire to your chamber. 

Cleo. Lead me. 35 

He goes forth gallantly. That he and Caesar might 



96 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Determine this great war in single fight! 

Then, Antony — but now — Well, on. [Exeunt. 

Scene V. Alexandria. Antony's camp. 

Trumpets sound. Enter Antony and Eros; a 
Soldier meeting them. 

Sold. The gods make this a happy day to Antony ! 

Ant. Would thou and those thy scars had once 
prevaiPd 
To make me fight at land! 

Sold. Hadst thou done so, 

The kings that have revolted, and the soldier 
That has this morning left thee, would have still 5 
Followed thy heels. 

Ant. Who's gone this morning? 

Sold. Who! 

One ever near thee: call for Enobarbus, 
He shall not hear thee; or from Caesar's camp 
Say "I am none of thine." 

Ant. What say'st thou? 

Sold. Sir, 

He is with Caesar. 

Eros. Sir, his chests and treasure 10 

He has not with him. 

Ant. Is he gone? 

Sold. Most certain. 

Ant. Go, Eros, send his treasure after; do it; 
Detain no jot, I charge thee: write to him — 
I will subscribe — gentle adieus and greetings; 
Say that I wish he never find more cause 15 

To change a master. O, my fortunes have 
Corrupted honest men! Despatch. — Enobarbus! 

[Exeunt. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 97 

Scene VI. Alexandria. Ccesar^s camp. 

Flourish. Enter Cesar, Agrippa, with Enobar- 
Bus, and others, 

CcBS, Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight: 

Our will is Anton'y be took alive; 

Make it so known. 

Agr, Caesar, I shall. [Exit, 

Cces. The time of universal peace is near: 5 

Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world 

Shall bear the olive freely. 

Enter a Messenger. 

Mess, Antony 

Is come into the field. 

Cces. Go charge Agrippa 

Plant those that have revolted in the van, 
That Antony may seem to spend his fury 10 

Upon himself. [Exeunt all but Enobarbus. 

Eno. Alexas did revolt; and went to Jewry on 
Affairs of Antony; there did persuade 
Great Herod to incline himself to Caesar, 
And leave his master Antony: for this pains 15 
Caesar hath hanged him. Canidius and the rest 
That fell away have entertainment, but 
No honorable trust. I have done ill: 
Of which I do accuse myself so sorely, 
That I will joy no more. 

Enter a Soldier of Cesar s. 

Sold. Enobarbus, Antony 20 

Hath after thee sent all thy treasure, with 



98 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

His bounty overplus: the messenger 

Came on my guard; and at thy tent is now 

Unloading of his mules. 

Eno. I give it you. 

Sold, Mock not, Enobarbus. 25 

I tell you true: best you safed the bringer 
Out of the host; I must attend mine office, 
Or would have done't myself. Your emperor 
Continues still a Jove. [Exit. 

Eno. I am alone the villain of the earth, 30 
And feel I am so most. O Antony, 
Thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid 
My better service, when my turpitude 
Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows my heart 
If swift thought break it not, a swifter mean 35 
Shall outstrike thought: but thought will do 't, I feel. 
I fight against thee! No: I will go seek 
Some ditch wherein to die; the foul'st best fits 
My latter part of life. [Exit. 

Scene VII. Field of battle between the camps. 

Alarum. Drums and trumpets. Enter Agrippa and 

others. 

Agr. Retire, we have engaged ourselves too far; 
Caesar himself has work, and our oppression 
Exceeds what we expected. [Exeunt. 

Alarums. Enter Antony, and Scarus wounded. 

Scar. O my brave emperor, this is fought indeed! 
Had we done so at first, we had droven them home s 
With clouts about their heads. 

Ant. Thou bleed'st apace. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 99 

Scar. I had a wound here that was like a T, 
But now 'tis made an H. 

Ant, They do retire. 

Enter Eros. 

Eros, They are beaten, sir; and our advantage 
serves 
For a fair victory. 

Scar. Let us score their backs, 10 

And snatch 'em up, as we take hares, behind: 
'Tis sport to maul a runner. 

Ant. I will reward thee 

Once for thy spritely comfort, and ten-fold 
For thy good valor. Come thee on. 

Scar. I '11 halt after. [Exeunt. 

Scene VIII. Under the walls of Alexandria. 

Alarum. Enter Antony, in a march; Scarus, with 

others. 

Ant. We have beat him to his camp: run one 

before. 
And let the queen know of our gests. To-morrow, 
Before the sun shall see's, we'll spill the blood 
That has to-day escaped. I thank you all; 
For doughty-handed are you, and have fought 5 
Not as you served the cause, but as 't had been 
Each man 's like mine ; you have shown all Hectors. 
Enter the city, clip your wives, your friends. 
Tell them your feats; whilst they with joyful tears 
Wash the congealment from your wounds, and kiss 
The honor'd gashes whole. [To Scarus.] Give me 

thy hand; 11 

Enter Cleopatra, attended. 



loo ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

To this great fairy I '11 commend thy acts, 

Make her thanks bless thee. [To Cleo.] O thou 

day o' the world, 
Chain mine arm'd neck; leap thou, attire and all, 
Through proof of harness to my heart, and there i s 
Ride on the pants triumphing! 

Cleo. Lord of lords! 

G infinite virtue, comest thou smiling from 
The world's great snare uncaught ? 

AnL My nightingale, 

We have beat them to their beds. What, girl! 

though gray 
Do something mingle with our younger brown, yet 

ha' we 20 

A brain that nourishes our nerves, and can 
Get goal for goal of youth. Behold this man; 
Commend unto his lips thy favoring hand: 
Kiss it, my warrior: he hath fought to-day 
As if a god, in hate of mankind, had 25 

Destroy'd in such a shape. 

Cleo, I'll give thee, friend. 

An armor all of gold; it was a king's. 

AnL He has deserved it, were it carbuncled 
Like holy Phoebus' car. Give me thy hand: 
Through Alexandria make a jolly march; 30 

Bear our hack'd targets like the men that owe them: 
Had our great palace the capacity 
To camp this host, we all would sup together, 
And drink carouses to the next day's fate. 
Which promises royal peril. . Trumpeters, 35 

With brazen din blast you the city's ear; 
Make mingle with our rattling tabourines; 
That heaven and earth may strike their sounds 

together, 
Applauding our approach. [Exeunt. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA loi 

Scene IX. Cesar's camp. 
Sentinels at their post. 

First Sold. If we be not relieved within this 
hour, 
We must return to the court of guard: the night 
Is shiny; and they say we shall embattle 
By the second hour i' the morn. 

Sec. Sold. This last day was 

A shrewd one to 's. 

Enter Enobarbus. 

Eno. O, bear me witness, night — 5 

Third Sold. What man is this ? 

Sec Sold. Stand close, and list him. 

Eno. Be witness to me, O thou blessed moon, 
When men revolted shall upon record 
Bear hateful memory, poor Enobarbus did 
Before thy face repent! 

First Sold. Enobarbus! 

Third Sold. Peace* 10 

Hark further. 

Eno. O sovereign mistress of true melancholy, 
The poisonous damp of night disponge upon me, 
That life, a very rebel to my will. 
May hang no longer on me: throw my heart 15 
Against the flint and hardness of my fault; 
Which, being dried with grief, vnll break to powder, 
And finish all foul thoughts. O Antony, 
Nobler than thy revolt is infamous, 
Forgive me in thine own particular; 20 

But let the world rank me in register 



I02 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

A master-leaver and a fugitive: 

O Antony! O Antony! [Dies. 

Sec. Sold. Let's speak 

To- him. 

First Sold. Let's hear him, for the things he 
speaks 2 5 

May concern Caesar. 

Third Sold. Let's do so. But he sleeps. 

First Sold. Swoons rather; for so bad a prayer 
as his 
Was never yet for sleep. 

Sec. Sold. Go we to him. 

Third Sold. Awake, sir, awake; speak to us. 

Sec. Sold. Hear you, sir? 

First Sold. The hand of death hath raught him. 
[Dnims afar off.] Hark! the drums 30 
Demurely wake the sleepers. Let us bear him 
To the court of guard; he is of note: our hour 
Is fully out. 

Third Sold. Come on, then; 
He may recover yet. [Exeunt with the body. 

Scene X. Between the two camps. 

Ant. Their preparation is to-day by sea; 
We please them not by land. 

Scar. For both, my lord. 

Ant. I would they 'Id fight i' the fire or i' the 
air; 
We 'Id fight there too. But this it is; our foot 
Upon the hills adjoining to the city 5 

Shall stay with us: order for sea is given; 
They have put forth the haven — forward then, 
Where their appointment we may best discover 
And look on their endeavor. [Exeunt. 



' ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 103 

Scene XI. Another part of the same. 

Enter Antony and Scarus, with their Army. 

Enter Cesar and his Army. 

CcBs, But being charged, we will be still by land, 
Which, as I take't, we shall; for his best force 
Is forth to man his galleys. To the vales, 
And hold our best advantage. [Exeunt. 

Scene XII. Another part of the same. 
Enter Antony and Scarus. 

Ant, Yet they are not join'd: where yond pine 
does stand, 
I shall discover all : I '11 bring thee word 
Straight, how 'tis like to go. [Exit, 

Scar, Swallows have built 

In Cleopatra's sails their nests: the augurers 
Say they know not, they cannot tell ; look grimly, 5 
And dare not speak their knowledge. Antony 
Is valiant, and dejected; and, by starts. 
His fretted fortunes give him hope, and fear, 
Of what he has, and has not. 

[Alarum afar off, as at a sea fight. 

Re-enter Antony. 

Ant, All is lost; 

This foul Egyptian hath betrayed me: 10 

My fleet hath yielded to the foe; and yonder 
They cast their caps up and carouse together 



I04 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Like friends long lost. Triple- turn 'd whore! 'tis 

thou 
Hast sold me to this novice; and my heart 
Makes only wars on thee. Bid them all fly; 15 
For when I am revenged upon my charm, 
I have done all. Bid them all fly; begone. 

[Exit SCARUS. 
O sun, thy uprise shall I see no more: 
Fortune and Antony part here; even here 
Do we shake hands. All come to this ? The hearts 
That spaniePd me at heels, to whom I gave 21 
Their wishes, so discandy, melt their sweets 
On blossoming Caesar; and this pine is bark'd, 
That overtopp'd them all. Betray'd I am: 
O this false soul of Egypt! this grave charm — 25 
Whose eye beck'd forth my wars, and call'd them 

home; 
Whose bosom was my crownet, my chief end — 
Like a right gipsy, hath, at fast and loose, 
Beguiled me to the very heart of loss. 
What, Eros, Eros! 

Enter Cleopatra. 

Ah, thou spell! Avaunt! 30 

Cleo, Why is my lord enraged against his love? 
Ant. Vanish, or I shall give thee thy deserving. 
And blemish Caesar's triumph. Let him take thee. 
And hoist thee up to the shouting plebeians: 
Follow his chariot, like the greatest spot 35 

Of all thy sex; most monster-like, be shown 
For poor'st diminutives, for dolts: and let 
Patient Octavia plough thy visage up 
With her prepared nails. [Exit Cleopatra, 

'Tis well thou'rt gone, 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 105 

If it be well to live; but better 'twere 40 

Thou felPst into my fury, for one death 
Might have prevented many. Eros, ho! 
The shirt of Nessus is upon me: teach me, 
Alcides, thou mine ancestor, thy rage: 
Let me lodge Lichas on the horns o' the moon; 45 
And with those hands that grasp'd the heaviest club. 
Subdue my worthiest self. The witch shall die: 
To the young Roman boy she hath sold me, and I fall 
Under this plot; she dies for't. Eros, ho! [Exit. 

Scene XIII. Alexandria, Cleopatra's palace. 
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian. 

Cleo, Help me, my women! O, he is more mad 
Than Telamon for his shield; the boar of Thessaly 
Was never so emboss'd! 

Char. To the monument! 

There lock yourself, and send him word you are dead. 
The soul and body rive not more in parting 5 

Than greatness going off. 

Cleo. To the monument! 

Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself; 
Say, that the last I spoke was "Antony," 
And word it, prithee, piteously: hence, Mardian, 
And bring me how he takes my death. To the 
moniunent! [Exeunt. 10 

Scene XIV. The same. Another room. 

Enter Antony and Eros. 

Ant. Eros, thou yet behold'st me? 

Eros. Ay, noble lord. 

Ant. Sometime we see a cloud that's dragonish; 



io6 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

A vapor sometime like a bear or lion, 

A tower'd citadel, a pendent rock, 

A forked mountain, or blue promontory 5 

With trees upon't, that nod unto the world, 

And mock our eyes with air: thou hast seen these 

signs; 
They are black vesper's pageants. 

Eros. Ay, my lord. 

Ant. That which is now a horse, even with a 
thought 
The rack dislimns, and makes it indistinct, 10 

As water is in water. 

Eros. It does, my lord. 

Ant. My good knave Eros, now thy captain is 
Even such a body: here I am Antony; 
Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave. 
I made these wars for Egypt: and the queen — 15 
Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine; 
Which whilst it was mine had annexed unto't 
A million more, now lost — she, Eros, has 
Pack'd cards with Caesar, and false-play'd my glory 
Unto an enemy's triumph. 20 

Nay, weep not, gentle Eros; there is left us 
Ourselves to end ourselves. 

Enter Mardian. 

O, thy vile lady! 
She has robb'd me of my sword. 

Mar. No, Antony; 

My mistress loved thee, and her fortunes mingled 
With thine entirely. 

Ant. Hence, saucy eunuch; peace! 25 

She hath betray'd me and shall die the death. 

Mar. Death of one person can be paid but once. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 107 

And that she has discharged: what thou wouldst do 

Is done unto thy hand: the last she spake 

Was "Antony! most noble Antony!" 30 

Then ii\.the midst a tearing groan did break 

The name of Antony; it was divided 

Between her heart and lips: she rendered life, 

Thy name so buried in her. 

AnL Dead, then? 

Mar, Dead. 

Ant. Unarm, Eros; the long day's task is done, 

And we must sleep. [To Mar.] That thou de- 

part'st hence safe, 36 

Does pay thy labor richly; go. [Exit Mardian. 

Off, pluck off: 
The seven-fold shield of Ajax cannot keep 
The battery from my heart. O, cleave, my sides! 
Heart, once be stronger than thy continent, 40 

Crack thy frail case! Apace, Eros, apace. 
No more a soldier: bruised pieces, go; 
You have been nobly borne. For me awhile. 

[Exit Eros. 
I will o'ertake thee, Cleopatra, and 
Weep for my pardon. So it must be, for now 45 
All length is torture: since the torch is out. 
Lie down, and stray no farther: now all labor 
Mars what it does; yea, very force entangles 
Itself with strength: seal then, and all is done. 
Eros! — I come, my queen: — Eros! — Stay for me: 
Where souls do couch on flowers, we'll hand in 
hand, 5 1 

And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze: 
Dido and her ^neas shall want troops. 
And all the haunt be ours. Come, Eros, Eros! 

Re-enter Eros. 



io8 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Eros. What would my lord? 

Ant. Since Cleopatra died, 55 

I have lived in such dishonor, that the gods 
Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword 
Quartered the world, and o'er green Neptune's back 
With ships made cities, condemn myself to lack 
The courage of a woman; less noble mind 60 

Than she which by her death our Caesar tells 
*' I am conqueror of myself." Thou art sworn, Eros, 
That, when the exigent should come, which now 
Is come indeed, when I should see behind me 
The inevitable prosecution of 65 

Disgrace and horror, that, on my command. 
Thou then wouldst kill me : do't; the time is come : 
Thou strikest not me, 'tis Caesar thou defeat'st. 
Put color in thy cheek. 

Eros. The gods withhold me! 

Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts, 70 
Though enemy, lost aim, and could not? 

Ant. Eros, 

Wouldst thou be window 'd in great Rome and see 
Thy master thus with pleach 'd arms, bending down 
His corrigible neck, his face subdued 
To penetrative shame, whilst the wheel'd seat 75 
Of fortunate Caesar, drawn before him, branded 
His baseness that ensued? 

Eros. I would not see't. 

Ant. Come, then; for with a wound I must be 
cured. 
Draw that thy honest sword, which thou hast worn 
Most useful for thy country. 

Eros. O, sir, pardon me! 80 

Ant. When I did make thee free, sworest thou 
not then 
To do this when I bade thee? Do it at once; 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 109 

Or thy precedent services are all 

But accidents unpurposed. Draw, and come. 

Eros. Turn from me, then, that noble counte- 
nance, 85 
Wherein the worship of the whole world lies. 

Ant, Lo thee! [Turning from him. 

Eros. My sword is drawn. 

Ant. Then let it do at once 

The thing why thou hast drawn it. 

Eros. My dear master. 

My captain, and my emperor, let me say, 90 

Before I strike this bloody stroke, farewell. 

Ant. 'Tis said, man; and farewell. 

Eros. Farewell great chief. Shall I strike now ? 

Ant. Now, Eros. 

Eros. Why, there then: thus I do escape the 
sorrow 
Of Antony's death. [Kills himself. 

Ant. Thrice-nobler than myself! 95 

Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what 
I should, and thou couldst not. My queen and Eros 
Have by their brave instruction got upon me 
A nobleness in record: but I will be 
A bridegroom in my death, and run into't 100 

As to a lover's bed. Come, then; and, Eros, 
Thy master dies thy scholar: to do thus 

[Falling on his sword. 
I learn'd of thee. How! not dead? not dead? 
The guard, ho! O, despatch me! 

Enter Dercetas and Guard. 

First Guard. What 's the noise ? 

Ant. I have done my work ill, friends: O, make 
an end 105 

Of what I have begun. 



no ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Sec, Guard. The star is falPn. . 

First Guard, And time is at his period. 

All. Alas, and woe! 

Ant. Let him that loves me strike me dead. 

First Guard. Not I. 

Second Guard, Nor I. 

Third Guard. Nor any one. [Exeunt Guard. 

Der. Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers 
fly. Ill 

This sword but shown to Caesar, with this tidings, 
Shall enter me with him. 

Enter Diomedes. 

Dio. Where's Antony? 

Der. There, Diomed, there. 

Dio. Lives he ? 

Wilt thou not answer, man? [Exit Dercetas. 115 

Ant. Art thou there, Diomed ? Draw thy sword, 
and give me 
Sufficing strokes for death. 

Dio. Most absolute lord, 

My mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee. 

Ant. When did she send thee? 

Dio, Now, my lord. 

Ant. Where is she? 

Dio. Lock'd in her monument. She had a 
prophesying fear 120 

Of what hath come to pass: for when she saw — 
Which never shall be found — you did suspect 
She had disposed with Caesar^ and that your rage 
Would not be purged, she sent you word she was 

dead; 
But, fearing since how it might work, hath sent 125 
Me to proclaim the truth; and I am come, 
I dread, too late. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA iii 

Ant. Too late, good Diomed: call my guard, I 

prithee. 
Dio. What, ho, the emperor's guard ! The guard, 
what, ho! 
Come, your lord calls! 130 

Enter four or jive of the Guard 0} Antony. 

Ant. Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra 
bides; 
'Tis the last service that I shall command you. 
First Guard. Woe, woe are we, sir, you may not 
live to wear 
All your true followers out. 

All. Most heavy day! 

Ant. Nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp 
fate 135 

To grace it with your sorrows: bid that welcome 
Which comes to punish us, and we punish it 
Seeming to bear it lightly. Take me up: 
I have led you oft : carry me now, good friends. 
And have my thanks for all. 140 

[Exeunt J hearing Antony 



Scene XV. The same. A monument. 

Enter Cleopatra, and her Maids aloft, with Char- 
mian and Iras. 

Cleo. O Charmian, I will never go from hence. 

Char. Be comforted, dear madam. 

Cleo. No, I will not: 

All strange and terrible events are welcome. 
But comforts we despise; our size of sorrow, 



112 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great 5 

As that which makes it. 

Enter, below] Diomedes. 

How now! is he dead? 
T>io. His death's upon him, but not dead. 
Look out o' the other side your monument; 
His guard have brought him thither. 

Enter, below, Antony, borne by the Guard. 

Cleo. O sun, 

Burn the great sphere thou movest in! darkling 
stand 10 

The varying shore o' the world. O Antony, 
Antony, Antony! Help, Charmian, help, Iras, help; 
Help, friends below; let's draw him hither. 

Ant. Peace! 

Nor Caesar's valor hath o'er thrown Antony, 
But Antony's hath triumph'd on itself. 15 

Cleo. So it should be, that none but Antony 
Should conquer Antony; but woe 'tis so! 

Ant. I am dying, Egypt, dying; only 
I here importune death awhile, until 
Of many thousand kisses the poor last 20 

I lay upon thy lips. 

Cleo. I dare not, dear — 

Dear my lord, pardon — I dare not. 
Lest I be taken: not the imperious show 
Of the full-fortuned Caesar ever shall 
Be brooch'd with me; if knife, drugs, serpents, have 
Edge, sting, or operation, I am safe: 26 

Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes 
And still conclusion, shall acquire no honor 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 113 

Demnring upon me. But come, come, Antony — 
Help me, my women — we must draw thee up: 30 
Assist, good friends. 

Ant. O, quick, or I am gone. 

Cleo. Here's sport indeed! How heavy weighs 
my lord. 
Our strength is all gone into heaviness, 
That makes the weight : had I great Juno's power, 
The strong- wing'd Mercury should fetch thee up, 3 5 
And set thee by Jove's side. Yet come a little — 
Wishers were ever fools — O, come, come, come; 
[They heave Antony aloft to Cleopatra. 
And welcome, welcome! die where thou hast lived: 
Quicken with kissing: had my lips that power, 
Thus would I wear them out. 

All. A heavy sight! 40 

Ant. I am dying, Egypt, dying: 
Give me some wine, and let me speak a little. 

Cleo. No, let me speak; and let me rail so high. 
That the false housewife Fortune break her wheel, 
Provoked by my offence. 

Ant. One word, sweet queen: 45 

Of Caesar seek your honor, with your safety. O ! 

Cleo. They do not go together. 

Ant. Gentle, hear me: 

None about Caesar trust but Proculeius. 

Cleo. My resolution and my hands I'll trust; 
None about Caesar. 50 

Ant. The miserable change now at my end 
Lament nor sorrow at; but please your thoughts 
In feeding them with those my former fortunes, 
Wherein I lived the greatest prince o' the world. 
The noblest; and do now not basely die, 55 

Not cowardly put off my helmet to 
My countryman — a Roman by a Roman 



114 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Valiantly vanquished. Now my spirit is going; 
I can no more. 

Cleo. Noblest of men, woo't die? 

Hast thou no care of me ? shall I abide 60 

In this dull world, which in thy absence is 
No better than a sty ? O, see, my women, 

[Antony dies. 
The crown o' earth doth melt. My lord! 
O, withered is the garland of the war, 
The soldier's pole is falPn : young boys and girls 65 
Are level now with men; the odds is gone. 
And there is nothing left remarkable 
Beneath the visiting moon. [Faints, 

Char. O, quietness, lady! 

Iras. She is dead too, our sovereign. 

Char. Lady! 

Iras. Madam 1 

Char. O, madam, madam, madam! 

Iras. Royal Egypt, 70 

Empress! 

Char. Peace, peace, Iras! 

Cleo. No more, but e'en a woman, and com- 
manded 
By such poor passion as the maid that milks 
And does the meanest chares. It were for me 75 
To throw my sceptre at the injurious gods; 
To tell them that this world did equal theirs 
Till they had stoPn our jewel. All's but naught; 
Patience is sottish, and impatience does 
Become a dog that's mad: then is it sin 80 

To rush into the secret house of death. 
Ere death dare come to us ? How do you, women ? 
What, what! good cheer! Why, how now, Char- 

mian! 
My noble girls! Ah, women, women, look, 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA ii5 

Our lamp is spent, it's out! Good sirs, take heart: 
We'll bury him; and then, what's brave, what's 
noble, 86 

Let's do it after the high Roman fashion. 
And make death proud to take us. Come, away: 
This case of that huge spirit now is cold: 
Ah, women, women! come; we have no friend 90 
But resolution, and the briefest end. 

[Exeunt; those above bearing off Antony's body. 



ACT V. 

Scene I. Alexandria, Caesar's camp. 

Enter Caesar, Agrippa, Dolabella, Mec^nas, 
Gallus, Proculeius, and others, his council 
of war. 

CcBs, Go to him, Dolabella, bid him yield: 
Being so frustrate, tell him he mocks 
The pauses that he makes. 

Dol, Csesar, I shall. [Exit, 

Enter Dercetas, with the sword of Antony. 

Cces, Wherefore is that ? and what art thou that 
darest 
Appear thus to us ? 

Der, I am call'd Dercetas: 5 

Mark Antony I served, who best was worthy 
Best to be served: whilst he stood up and spoke, 
He was my master; and I vvore my life 
To spend upon his haters. If thou please 



ii6 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

To take me to thee, as I was to him lo 

I'll be to Caesar; if thou pleasest not, 
I yield thee up my life. 

C(Bs, What is't thou say'st? 

Der. I say, O Caesar, Antony is dead. 

C(Bs. The breaking of so great a thing should 
make 
A greater crack: the round world 15 

Should have shook lions into civil streets. 
And citizens to their dens: the death of Antony 
Is not a single doom; in the name lay 
A moiety of the world. 

Der. He is dead, Caesar; 

Not by a public minister of justice, 20 

Nor by a hired knife; but that self hand, 
Which writ his honor in the acts it did. 
Hath, with the courage which the heart did lend it, 
Splitted the heart. This is his sword; 
I robb'd his wound of it; behold it stain'd 25 

With his most noble blood. 

Cces. Look you sad, friends? 

The gods rebuke me, but it is tidings 
To wash the eyes of kings. 

Agr. And strange it is, 

That nature must compel us to lament 
Our most persisted deeds. 

Mec. His taints and honors 30 

Waged equal with him. 

Agr. A rarer spirit never 

Did steer humanity: but you, gods, will give us 
Some faults to make us men. Caesar is touch'd. 

Mec, When such a spacious mirror's set before 
him 
He needs must see himself. 

C(^$. O Antony! 35 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA ti; 

I have followed thee to this; but we do lance 

Diseases in our bodies: I must perforce 

Have shown to thee such a dechning day, 

Or look on thine; we could not stall together 

In the whole world: but yet let me lament, 40 

With tears as sovereign as the blood of hearts. 

That thou, my brother, my competitor 

In top of all design, my mate in empire. 

Friend and companion in the front of war, 

The arm of mine own body, and the heart 45 

Where mine his thoughts did kindle — that our stars, 

Unreconciliable, should divide 

Our equalness to this. Hear me, good friends — 

But I will tell you at some meeter season: 

Enter an Egyptian. 

The business of this man looks out of him; 50 

We '11 hear him what he says. Whence are you ? 

Egyp. A poor Egyptian yet. The queen my 
rnistress, 
Confined in all she has, her monument. 
Of thy intents desires instruction. 
That she preparedly may frame herself 55 

To the way she's forced to. 

CcBs. Bid her have good heart: 

She soon shall know of us, by some of ours. 
How honorable and how kindly we 
Determine for her; for Caesar cannot live 
To be ungentle. 

Egyp. So the gods preserve thee! [Exit. 60 

CcBS. Come hither, Proculeius. Go and say, 
We purpose her no shame: give her what comforts 
The quality of her passion shall require. 
Lest, in her greatness by some mortal stroke 
She do defeat us; for her life in Rome 65 



ii8 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Would be eternal in our triumph: go, 

And with your speediest bring us what she says, 

And how you find of her. 

Pro. Caesar, I shall. [Exit. 

C(Bs, Gallus, go you along. [Exit Gallus.] 
Where's Dolabella, 
To second Proculeius ? 

AIL Dolabella! 70 

Cces. Let him alone, for I remember now 
How he's employ 'd: he shall in time be ready. 
Go with me to my tent; where you shall see 
How hardly I was drawn into this war; 
How calm and gentle I proceeded still 75 

In all my writings: go with me, and see 
What I can show in this. [Exeunt. 

Scene II. Alexandria. A room in the monument. 

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, and Iras. 

Cleo. My desolation does begin to make 
A better life. 'Tis paltry to be Caesar; 
Not being Fortune, he's but Fortune's knave, 
A minister of her will: and it is great 
To do that thing that ends all other deeds; 5 

Which shackles accidents and bolts up change; 
Which sleeps, and never palates more the dug. 
The beggar's nurse and Caesar's. 

Enter, to the gates 0} the monument^ Proculeius, 
Gallus, and Soldiers. 

Pro. Caesar sends greeting to the Queen of Egypt; 
And bids thee study on what fair demands 10 

Thou mean'st to have him grant thee. 

Cleo. What's thy name? 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 119 

Pro. My name is Proculeius. 

Cleo. Antony 

Did tell me of you, bade me trust you; but 
I do not greatly care to be deceived, 
That have no use for trusting. If your master 15 
Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him 
That majesty, to keep decorum, must 
No less beg than a kingdom: if he please 
To give me conquered Egypt for my son, 
He gives me so much of mine own, as I 20 

Will kneel to him with thanks. 

Pro. Be of good cheer; 

You're falPn into a princely hand, fear nothing: 
Make your full reference freely to my lord. 
Who is so full of grace, that it flows over 
On all that need: let me report to him 25 

Your sweet dependency; and you shall find 
A conqueror that will pray in aid for kindness. 
Where he for grace is kneePd to. 

Cleo, Pray you, tell him 

I am his fortune's vassal, and I send him 
The greatness he has got. I hourly learn 30 

A doctrine of obedience; and would gladly 
Look him i' the face. 

Pro. This 1 11 report, dear lady. 

Have comfort, for I know your pHght is pitied 
Of him that caused it. 

GaL You see how easily she may be surprised : 3 5 

[Here Proculeius and two of the Guard as- 

scend the monument by a ladder placed 

against a window^ and, having descended, 

come behind Cleopatra. Some of the 

. Guard unbar and open the gates. 

[To Proculeius and the Guard.] Guard her till 

Caesar come. [Exit. 



I20 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Iras, Royal queen! 

Char, O Cleopatra! thou art taken, queen. 

Cleo, Quick, quick, good hands. 

[Drawing a dagger. 

Pro, Hold, worthy lady, hold: 

{Seizes and disarms her. 
Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this 40 
ReHeved, but not betrayed. 

Cleo. What, of death too, 

That rids our dogs of languish ? 

Pro. Cleopatra, 

Do not abuse my master's bounty by 
The undoing of yourself: let the world see 
His nobleness well acted, which your death 45 

Will never let come forth. 

Cleo. Where art thou, death ? 

Come hither, come! come, come, and take a 

queen 
Worth many babes and beggars! 

Pro, O, temperance, lady! 

Cleo, Sir, I will eat no meat, I'll not drink, 
sir; 
If idle talk will once be necessary, - 50 

111 not sleep neither: this mortal house I'll 

ruin. 
Do Caesar what he can. Know, sir, that I 
Will not wait pinion'd at your master's court; 
Nor once be chastised with the sober eye 
Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up 55 

And show me to the shouting varletry 
Of censuring Rome ? Rather a ditch in Egypt 
Be gentle grave unto me! rather on Nilus' mud 
Lay me stark-nak'd, and let the water-flies 
Blow me into abhorring! rather make 6q 

My country's high pyramides my gibbet. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 121 

And hang me up in chains! 

Pro. You do extend 

These thoughts of horror further than you shall 
Find cause in Caesar. 

Enter Dolabella. 

DoL Proculeius, 

What thou hast done thy master Caesar knows, 65 
And he hath sent for thee: for the queen, 
I '11 take her to my guard. 

Pro, So, Dolabella, 

It shall content me best: be gentle to her. 
\To Cleo.] To Caesar I will speak what you shall 

please. 
If you'll employ me to him. 

Cleo, Say, I would die. 70 

[Exeunt Proculeius and Soldiers. 

Dol. Most noble empress, you have heard of me ? 

Cleo, I cannot tell. 

Dol, Assuredly you know me. 

Cleo, No matter, sir, what I have heard or known. 
You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams; 
Is 't not your trick ? 

Dol. I understand not, madam. 75 

Cleo. I dream'd there was an Emperor Antony: 
O, such another sleep, that I might see 
But such another man! 

Dol, If it might please ye — 

Cleo, His face was as the heavens; and therein 
stuck 
A sun and moon, which kept their course, and lighted 
The little O, the earth. 

Dol. Most sovereign creature — 81 

Cleo. His legs bestrid the ocean: his reared arni 



122 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Crested the world: his voice was propertied 
As all the tuned spheres, and that to friends; 
But when he meant to quail and shake the orb, 85 
He was as rattling thunder. For his bounty. 
There was no winter in't; an autumn 'twas 
That grew the more by reaping: his delights 
Were dolphin-like; they show'd his back above 
The element they lived in: in his livery 90 

Walk'd crowns and crownets; realms and islands 

were 
As plates dropped from his pocket. 

Dol, Cleopatra! 

Cleo, Think you there was, or might be, such a 
man 
As this I dream'd of ? 

DoL Gentle madam, no. 

Cleo, You lie, up to the hearing of the gods. 95 
But, if there be, or ever were, one such. 
It's past the size of dreaming: nature wants stuff 
To vie strange forms with fancy; yet, to imagine 
An Antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy, 
Condemning shadows quite. 

Dol. Hear me, good madam. 100 

Your loss is as yourself, great; and you bear it 
As answering to the weight: would I might never 
O'ertake pursued success, but I do feel. 
By the rebound of yours, a grief that smites 
My very heart at root. 

Cleo, I thank you, sir. 105 

Know you what Caesar means to do with me ? 

DoL I am loath to tell you what I would you 
knew. 

Cleo. Nay, pray you, sir — 

Dol. Though he be honorable — 

Cleo, He'll lead me, then, in triumph? 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 123 

Dol. Madam, he will; I know't. no 

{Flourish and shout within, 
*^ Make way there : Caesar ! " 

Enter Caesar, Gallus, Proculeius, Mec^nas, 
Seleucus, and others 0} his Train. 

Cces. Which is the Queen of Egypt ? 

Dol. It is the emperor, madam. 

[Cleopatra kneels, 

CcBs. Arise, you shall not kneel: 
I pray you, rise; rise, Egypt. 

Cleo, Sir, the gods 115 

Will have it thus; my master and my lord 
I must obey. 

C(Bs. Take to you no hard thoughts: 

The record of what injuries you did us, 
Though written in our flesh, we shall remember 
As things but done by chance. 

Cleo. Sole sir o' the world, 120 

I cannot project mine own cause so well 
To make it clear; but do confess I have 
Been laden with like frailties which before 
Have often shamed our sex. 

C(Es. Cleopatra, know. 

We will extenuate rather than enforce: 125 

If you apply yourself to our intents. 
Which towards you are most gentle, you shall find 
A benefit in this change-; but if you seek 
To lay on me a cruelty, by taking 
Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself 130 
Of my good purposes, and put your children 
To that destruction which I'll guard them from. 
If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave. 

Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis yours; 
and we, 



124 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Your scutcheons and your signs of conquest, shall 

Hang in what place you please. Here, my good 

lord. 13^ 

CcEs. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra. 

Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels 
I am possessed of: 'tis exactly valued; 
Not petty things admitted. WTiere 's Seleucus ? 

Set. Here, madam. 141 

Cleo, This is my treasurer: let him speak, my 
lord. 
Upon his peril, that I have reserved 
To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus. 

Sel. Madam, 145 

I had rather seal my lips, than, to my peril. 
Speak that which is not. 

Cleo. What have I kept back? 

Sel. Enough to purchase what you have made 
known. 

Cces. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve 
Your wisdom in the deed. 

Cleo. See, Caesar! O, behold, 150 

How pomp is followed! mine will now be yours; 
And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine. 
The ingratitude of this Seleucus does 
Even make me wild: O slave, of no more trust 
Than love that's hired! What, goest thou back? 
thou shalt 155 

Go back, w^arrant thee ; but I '11 catch thine eyes. 
Though they had wings: slave, soulless villain, dog! 
O rarely base! 

CcEs, Good queen, let us entreat you. 

Cleo. O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this. 
That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me, 160 

Doing the honor of thy lordliness 
To one so meek, that mine own servant should 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 125 

Parcel the sum of my disgraces by 

Addition of his envy! Say, good Caesar, 

That I some lady trifles have reserved, 165 

Immoment toys, things of such dignity 

As we greet modern friends withal; and say, 

Some nobler token I have kept apart 

For Li\ia and Octavia, to induce 

Their mediation; must I be unfolded 170 

With one that I have bred? The gods I it smites 

me 
Beneath the fall I have. [To Sel.] Prithee, go 

hence; 
Or I shall know the cinders of my spirits 
Through the ashes of my chance: wert thou a man. 
Thou wouldst have mercy on me. 

C(es. Forbear, Seleucus. 175 

[Exit Seleucus. 
Cleo. Be it known, that we, the greatest, are 

misthought 
For things that others do; and, when we fall. 
We answer others' merits in our name. 
Are therefore to be pitied. 

C(Bs, Cleopatra, 

Not what you have reserved, nor what acknowledged. 
Put we i' the roll of conquest: still be't yours, 181 
Bestow it at your pleasure; and beUeve, 
Caesar's no merchant, to make prize mth you 
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be 

cheer 'd; 
Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear 

queen; 185 

For we intend so to dispose you as 
Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep: 
Our care arid pity is so much upon you. 
That we remain your friend; and so, adieu. 



126 ANTOKY AND CLEOPATRA 

Cleo. My master, and my lord! 
C(Bs. Not so. Adieu. 190 

{Flourish, Exeunt Caesar and his train. 
Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that I 
should not 
Be noble to myself: but, hark thee, Charmim. 

\Whispers Charmian. 
Iras. Finish, good lady; the bright day is done, 
And we are for the dark. 

Cleo. Hie thee again: 

I have spoke already, and it is provided; 195 

Go put it to the haste. 

Char. Madam, I will. 

Re-enter Dolabella. 

Dol. Where is the queen? 

Char. Behold, sir. {Exit. 

Cleo. Dolabella ! 

Dol. Madam, as thereto sworn by your command 
Which my love makes religion to obey, 
I tell you this: Caesar through Syria 200 

Intends his journey; and within three days 
You with your children will he send before: 
Make your best use of this: I have performed 
Your pleasure and my promise. 

Cleo. Dolabella, 

I shall remain your debtor. 

Dol. I your servant. 205 

Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Caesar. 

Cleo. Farewell, and thanks. {Exit Dolabella. 
Now, Iras, w^hat think'st thou? 
Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown 
In Rome, as well as I: mechanic slaves 
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall 210 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 127 

Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths, 
Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded. 
And forced to drink their vapor. 

Iras. The gods forbid! 

Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras; saucy lie tors 
Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhymers 
Ballad us out o' tune: the quick comedians 216 
Extemporally will stage us, and present 
Our Alexandrian revels; Antony 
Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see 
Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness. 220 

Iras. O the good gods! 

Cleo. Nay, that's certain. 

Iras. I'll never see't; for, I am sure, my nails 
Are stronger than mine eyes. 

Cleo. Why, that's the way 

To fool their preparation, and to conquer 225 

Their most absurd intents. 

Re-enter Charmian. 

Now, Charmian! 
Show me, my women, like a queen: go fetch 
My best attires: I am again for Cydnus, 
To meet Mark Antony: sirrah Iras, go. 
Now, noble Charmian, we'll despatch indeed; 230 
And, when thou hast done this chare, I '11 give thee 

leave 
To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all. 
Wherefore 's this noise ? {Exit Iras. A noise within. 

Enter a Guardsman. 

Guard. Here is a rural fellow 

That will not be denied your highness' presence: 
He brings you figs. 235 



128 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Cleo. Let him come in. [Exit Guardsman. 

What poor an instrument 
May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty. 
My resolution's placed, and I have nothing 
Of woman in me: now from head to foot 
I am marble-constant; now the fleeting moon 240 
No planet is of mine. 

Re-enter Guardsman, with Clown bringing in a 

basket. 

Guard. This is the man. 

Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. [Exit Guardsman. 
Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there, 
That kills and pains not ? 

Clown. Truly, I have him: but I would not be 
the party that should desire you to touch him, for 
his biting is immortal; those that do die of it do 
seldom or never recover. 248 

Cleo. Rememberest thou any that have died on 't ? 

Clown. Very many, men and women too. I 
heard of one of them no longer than yesterday: a 
very honest woman, but something given to lie; as a 
woman should not do, but in the way of honesty: 
how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt: 
truly, she makes a very good report o' the worm; 
but he that will believe all that they say, shall never 
be saved by half that they do : but this is most falli- 
ble, the worm's an odd worm. 

Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell. 

Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm. 260 

[Setting down his basket. 

Cleo. Farewell. 

Clown. You must think this, look you, that the 
worm will do his kind. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 129 

Cleo. Ay, ay; farewell. 

Clown. Look you, the worm is not to be trusted 
but in the keeping of wise people; for, indeed, there 
is no goodness in the worm. 

Cleo, Take thou no care; it shall be heeded. 

Clown, Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you, 
for it is not worth the feeding. 270 

Cleo. Will it eat me? 

Clown. You must not think I am so simple but I 
know the devil himself will not eat a woman: I know 
that a woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress 
her not. But, truly, these same devils do the gods 
great harm in their women ; for in every ten that they 
make, the devils mar five. 277 

Cleo. Well, get thee gone; farewell. 

Clown. Yes, forsooth: I wish you joy o' the worm. 

[Exit. 

Re-enter Iras with a robe, crown, etc. 

Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have 
Immortal longings in me: now no more 281 

The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip: 
Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. Methinks I hear 
Antony call; I see him rouse himself 
To praise my noble act; I hear him mock 285 

The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men 
To excuse their after wrath: husband, I come: 
Now to that name my courage prove my title! 
I am fire and air; my other elements 
I give to baser life. So; have you done? 290 

Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips. 
Farewell, kind Charmian; Iras, long farewell. 

[Kisses them. Iras falls and di^. 
Have I the aspic in my lips ? Dost fall ? 



I30 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

If thou and nature can so gently part, 

The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, 295 

Which hurts, and is desired. Dost thou he still? 

If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world 

It is not worth leave-taking. 

Char, Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may 
say. 
The gods themselves do weep! 

Cleo. This proves me base: 300 

If she first meet the curled Antony, 
He'll make demand of her, and spend that kiss 
Which is my heaven to have. Come, thou mortal 
wretch, 
\To an asp, which she applies to her breast. 
With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate 
Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool, 305 

Be angry, and despatch. O, couldst thou speak, 
That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass 
Unpolicied. 

Char, O eastern star! 

Cleo. Peace, peace! 

Dost thou not see my baby at my breast. 
That sucks the nurse asleep? 

Char. O, break! O, break! 310 

Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle — 
O Antony! — Nay, I will take thee too: 

[Applying another asp to her arm. 
What should I stay — [Dies. 

Char. In this vile world? So, fare thee well. 
Now boast thee, death, in thy possession lies 315 
A lass unparellel'd. Downy windows, close; 
And golden Phcebus never be beheld 
Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry; 
I'll mend it, and then play. 



ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 131 

Enter the Guards rushing in. 

First Guard, Where is the queen ? 
Char, Speak softly, wake her not. 320 

First Guard, Caesar hath sent — 
Char, Too slow a messenger. 

[Applies an asp. 
O, come apace, despatch! I partly feel thee. 
First Guard, Approach, ho! All's not well: 

Caesar's beguiled. 
Sec, Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Caesar; 

call him. 
First Guard. What work is here! Charmian, is 
this well done? 325 

Char, It is well done, and fitting for a princess 
Descended of so many royal kings. 
Ah, soldier! [Dies, 

Re-enter Dolabella. 

Dol, How goes it here ? 

Sec, Guurd. All dead. 

Dol. Caesar, thy thoughts 

Touch their effects in this: thyself art coming 330 
To see perform 'd the dreaded act which thou 
So sought'st to hinder. 
[Within] "A wav there, a way for Caesar!" 

Re-enter C^sar and all his train marching. 

DoL O sir, you are too sure an augurer* 
That you did fear is done. 

Cces, Bravest at the last. 

She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal, 335 
Took her own way. The manner of their deaths ? 
I do not see them bleed. 

Dol. Who was last with them? 



132 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

First Guard. A simple countryman, that brought 
her figs: 
This was his basket. 

CcBs, Poisoned, then. 

First Guard. O Caesar, 

This Charmian lived but now; she stood and spake: 
I found her trimming up the diadem 341 

On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood 
And on the sudden dropp'd. 

Cces. O noble weakness! 

If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear 
By external swelling: but she looks like sleep, 345 
As she would catch another Antony 
In her strong toil of grace. 

DoL Here, on her breast, 

There is a vent of blood and something blown: 
The like is on her arm. 

First Guard. This is an aspic's trail: and these 
fig-leaves 350 

Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves 
Upon the caves of Nile. 

C(Bs, Most probable 

That so she died; for her physician tells me 
She hath pursued conclusions infinite 
Of easy ways to die. Take up her bed; 355 

And bear her women from the monument: 
She shall be buried by her Antony: 
No grave upon the earth shall clip in it 
A pair so famous. High events as these 
Strike those that make them; and their story is 360 
No less in pity than his glory which 
Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall 
In solemn show attend this funeral; 
And then to Rome. Come, Dolabella, see 
High order in this great solemnity, [Exeunt, 



I 



NOTES 

ACT I. 

Scene I. 

1. Dotage, Foolishness, like that of a childish old man. 

2. Measure. Exceeds all limits. 

2. Goodly, Fine. 

3. Musters, The troops drawn up in battle array. 

4. Plated Mars, The god of war arrayed in armor. 
Coats-of-mail were made of plates of steel. 

5. Office, That is, bend their looks in devoted service. 

6. Tawny front. Dark countenance. Cleopatra was a 
Greek, but she is usually represented as swarthy of visage. 

8. Reneges, Disclaims, renounces. 

8. Temper. Moderation, equanimity. 

ID. Gipsy. Used here contemptuously, not in a literal 
sense. 

12. Triple pillar. Third. At this time Antony, Caesar, 
and Lepidus formed the second triumvirate, or group of 
men to rule Rome. 

15. Beggary, Her love small enough to be reckoned is 
but beggary. 

16. Bourne, Limit. 

17. New heaven. That is, the present heaven and earth 
are not wide enough to limit my love. 

18. Grates. It annoys me; tell me briefly. 

21. Scarce -bearded. A taunt at Antony by reminding 
him how young is the man he calls master. 
23. Take in. Conquer, subdue. 

23. Enfranchise. Set free. 

24. Damn. Condemn. 

28. Process. A legal summons calling a man into court. 
31. Homager. Vassal, bond servant. 
31. Shame, Pays the tribute of shame or fear. 

133 



134 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

32. Shrill'tongiied. Plutarch says that Fulvia was **of 
a peevish, crooked, and troublesome nature." 
34. Ranged, Well ordered. 

34. Space, Place where I would be. 
37. Thus, Love as we love. 

37. Mutual. When two people in such complete sym- 
pathy. 

39. Weet, To know; weet is a corruption of 'Svit." 

40. Falsehood, That is, false man. 

43. Himself, Show himself in his true character. 

43. Stirred, Inspired, influenced by. 

44. Love, The goddess of love, Venus. 

44. Sofl, Luxurious. 

45. Confound, Waste, consume. 

49. Becomes, Whose every act is becoming. 

50. Fully, Some read "fitly" here. 

54. Qualities, Characters. See quotation from Plu- 
tarch in Introduction. 

55. Speak J etc. Addressed to the messenger from Rome. 
57. Not Antony, That is, when he is not in his proper 

frame of mind, he lacks too much those great qualities which 
should always be his. 

61. Common liar. Proves false report to be true report. 

63. Of, For. 

Scene II. 

2. Absolute, Complete, perfect. 

19. Prescience, One who knows all things; used here 
jokingly as a title. 

22. Liver, Heart. Liver was often used as the seat of 
love. 

26. Widow, Outlive them. 

27. Herod of Jewry, A reference to Herod's slaughter 
of the innocents. He is represented in the old mystery plays 
as a fierce tyrant. 

27. Find me. Find out that it may be my destiny. 

28. Companion, Make me an equal with. 

35. Belike, It is likely I shall have no children to name. 

38. Every, Every one. 

40. For a witch. If this is the best you can do you will 
never be burned for a witch. 

46. E'en, As little as, etc. 
46. Nilus, Nile. 



NOTES I3S 

47. Wild, Extravagant. 

48. Prognostication. A sign of fruitfulness. 
50. Worky-day. Common, ordinary. 

56. Come. Come, tell me his fortune. 

57. I sis. The Egyptian goddess of the earth and of 
fertility. 

69. Roman. A thought about Rome. 
74. Into the field. Took up arms. 

77. Timers state. The state of afifairs made friendship 
necessary. 

78. Jointing. Joining. 

79. Issue. Fortune, success. 

80. Drave. An old form not commonly used by Shake- 
speare. 

85. As. As if. 

86. Stiff. Hard to tell. 

87. Extended. A legal term meaning to seize upon. 
87. Ev.rphrates. Here accented on the first syllable. 
^i. Syria, etc. Provinces of Asia Minor. 

91. Home. Frankly, without reserve. 

96. Quick. Active. 

97. Earing. Ploughing. That is, the knowledge of our 
faults is like ploughing the mind for bringing forth a new 
and worthy crop instead of weeds. 

99. Sicyon. One of the most ancient cities in southern 
Greece. 

loi. Stays. Awaits your pleasure. 

107. Importeth. It is of importance for you to know. 

107. Forbear, Have patience with me. 

108. Great Spirit. A noble mind. 

109. Contempt. What we fling away with careless con- 
tempt. 

111. Revolution, What at the moment seems pleasure 
to us, by the changes of time and events, often becomes 
pain. 

112. Being gone. Though I prized her little when alive, 
being gone, she seems of value. 

113. Could. Could willingly, would. 
121. Word. Will be the result. 

128. Moment. For far /ess reason. 

129. Mettle. Spirit. 

135. Almanacs. The old almanacs used to predict 
changes in the weather. 

137. Jove. The god of thunder. 



136 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

141. Discredited. That is, made you seem but a poor 
traveler. 

147. Thankful. Sacrifice of thanksgiving. 

149. Tailors. It shows the deities as tailors of the earth 
who, when old robes are worn out, can make him new. So 
the gods can supply men with a new wife. 

154. Smock. Coat. 

156. Onion. Mock tears are all you need. 

157. Broached. The affairs she has set on foot. 
161. Abode. Abiding. 

164. Expedience. Expedition. 

165. Part. Depart. 

166. Touches. Other matters which affect us more 
strongly. 

168. Contriving. Our many friends who are contriving 
or plotting in our interests. 

169. Petition. Petition us to come home. 

170. Dare. Declared defiance. 

171. Slippery. Fickle, changeable. 

173. Deserts are past. The time has gone by for giving 
him his deserts. 

174. Pompey. Invest the son with all the dignities of the 
father. Pompey was a famous Roman general. 

176. Blood. Courage. 

177. Main. Chief soldier of the world. 

177. Quality. Disposition. 

178. Sides. The whole empire of Rome. 

179. Coursers. A reference to the old superstition that 
a horse hair, when put into water, will turn into a snake. 

179. But. Only. 

180. Say. Give our commands to our subordinates. 

Scene III. 

I.' Since. The use of since with the imperfect tense is 
not uncommon in Shakespeare. 

3. Did. That is, you must appear as if I did not send 
you. 

6. Did love. Implying that she does not. 

8. Do. Supply ''which." 

10. The way. That is the way. 

11. / wish. I wish you would forbear; I pray you, 
forbear. 

12. Ojte7i. Are frequently obliged to fear. 



NOTES 137 

13. Sullen. That is, I mean to pretend to be sick and 
melancholy. 

14. Breathing. To put my purpose in words. 

16. Sides. As illustrative of her meaning, Stevens quotes 
the lines: 

''There is no woman's sides 
Can hide the beating of so strong a passion." 

19. Eye. By your very appearance. 

20. Married. A scornful reference to Fulvia. 

26. Treasons. The treachery you intended against me. 

30. Mouth-made. Empty, false. 

32. Color. Excuse, pretext. 

33. Sued. Sued that you might stay. 

35. Eternity. This is a mocking echo of what Antony 
has previously said. 

36. Bent. The arch of our eyebrow. 

36. None. None of our parts. 

37. Race. Had a heavenly origin. 

44. I71 use. In trust, a legal term. 

45. Civil swords. Is torn by civil wars. 

46. Port. Probably Ostia, which was the harbor of 
Rome. 

48. Breed. Agrees with " powers," rather than with its 
subject, "equaUty." 

48. Scrupulous. Factions that keep narrow watch on 
each other. By a confusion of ideas "breed" agrees with 
the nearest noun. 

49. Condemned, It is necessary to accent this word on 
the first syllable. 

53. Purge. Would be cured, changed. 

54. Particular. More private reasons. 

55. Saje. Make safe; render you secure regarding me. 
58. Childishness. That is, from being so childish as to 

believe that Fulvia is really dead. 

61. Garhoils. Commotions, turmoils. The word is 
adopted from the French. 

61. Best. This remark has been variously interpreted. 
Some take it to mean that the last part of the letter, telHng 
the good news of Fulvia 's death, is the best part; some that 
nothing in Fulvia' s life so became her as her death, Cleo- 
patra's reply seems to favor the first interpretation. 

63. Sacred vials. The Romans sometimes placed bottles 
of tears, or lachrymatory vials, in the urns of their friends. 



138 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

67. Bear. My intentions. 

67. Cease. Which shall be carried out or not. 

68. Fire. That is, by the sun that brings verdure out of 
the Nile mud. 

71. AffecVst. As it may please thee. 

71. Lace. Stay lace, lest I faint. 

73. So. If. 

74. Evidence, Testimony. 

75. Trial. Test. 

78, Egypt. That is, Egypt's queen. 

78. Good now. A common vocative, my good lord. 

81. Meetly. Very well. 

82. Target. Shield. 

84. Herculanean. According to Plutarch, Antony claimed 
descent from Anton, a son of Hercuies. 

85. Chafe. How well he maintains his pretended anger. 
90. Oblivion. My forgetfulness. That is, my memory 

plays me as false as does Antony himself, and I have forgotten 
all I would say. 

92. Idleness. But that your royalty holds idleness in 
subjection to your purposes, I should think you were the 
very spirit of idleness yourself. 

94. Heart. It is hard work to carry on such trifling 
when it covers such a sorry heart. 

96. Becomings. Graces and charms. 

97. Eye. Appear becoming in your eyes. 

100. Laurel. Laurel crowned victory. Laurel has al- 
ways been the symbol of the victor. 

102. Abide. That is, we both remain with and yet fly 
from each other, since you, though rem^aining here, yet go 
with me, and I, though going hence, still in spirit am here 
with you. 

Scene IV. 

3. Competitor. Partner, associate. 

3. Alexandria. The capital of Egypt. 

4. Fishes. Plutarch says that Antony when fishing with 
Cleopatra was vexed at his want of success and^ on one 
occasion, hired divers to fasten a live fish on his hook. 
Cleopatra found out the trick, and next time she ordered her 
own divers to be quicker than Antony's and place a salt fish 
on the hook. When the latter drew it up in triumph, she 
and her attendants were vastly amused. 



NOTES 139 

6. Ptolomy. Cleopatra belonged to the line of the 
Ptolomies, a famous dynasty of Egyptian rulers. 

9. Abstract. The epitome, the very embodiment. 

II. Enow. This is an old form of the plural of "enough." 

14. Purchased. Inherited rather than acquired by him- 
self. 

18. Mirth, A revel, a feast. 

19. Turn. To sit at table and drink with a slave. 

20. Reel. That is, to go reeling along. 
20. Buffet. Play the part of buffet. 
22. As. Although. 

22. Composure. Composition, nature. 

24. Soils. Faults. 

25. Lightness. When our burden is so much the greater 
for his levity. 

26. Vacancy. Times of leisure. 

27. Surfeits. Satiety and physical pains would be the 
natural punishments. 

28. Confound. But to waste a time such as this, when 
his own interests and ours demand his attention, is a fault 
that ought to be reprimanded as we chide boys. 

31. Mature. Old enough to know better. 

32. Pawn. Sacrifice their better judgment. 

33. Rebel to. Rebel against their judgment. 

33. News. Shakespeare sometimes treats this word as 
singular. 

39. Discontents. Malcontents, the dissatisfied ones. 

40. Give him. Represent, speak of him as one who has 
been wronged. 

42. Is. The man who has power was desired by the 
people only until he actually acquired power. 

43. Ebb'd. One whose fortunes have declined. 

44. Beared. Becomes dear. 

46. Lackeying. Waiting upon, going back and forth with. 

49. Ear. Plough. 

52. Lack blood. Grow pale with fright. 

52. Flush youth. Hot-blooded youth, or youth at its 
prime. 

55. War. That is, his name strikes more terror than it 
would were his war resisted. 

56. Wassails, Revels. 

58. Consuls, The name of the ruling officers of Rome. 
61. Suffer. With fortitude greater than that with which 
savages could suffer. 



I40 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 



62 
66 

71 
71 

75 
79 

79 
80 
82 
84 



Gilded. Covered with scum. 

Browsed^ st. Fed on 

Lank^d. Grew thin. 

Of. As regards. 

Assemble. Let us assemble a council at once. 

Front. Encounter. 

Encounter. Meeting. 

It. That is, to take account of my resources. 

Stirs. Outbreaks. 

Bond. I know that I am bound to do so. 

Scene V. 



4. Mandragora. Mandrake, a plant inducing sleep. 

13. Wot' St. Knowest thou. 

14. Demi-Atlas. The Atlas who holds up half the world. 
Atlas was one of the Titans, or race of giants, who made war 
upon Zeus and, as a punishment, was condemned to bear up 
the heavens on his shoulders. 

15. Burgonet. A kind of helmet first worn by the 
Burgundians. 

19. Phoebus. God of the sun. That is, tanned by the 
sun. 

20. In time. By time. 

20. Broad-fronted. With a wide forehead. 

23. Grow. That is, fix them on my face. 

24. Aspect. Countenance. 

27. Medicine. The famous elixir of the old alchemists 
that was supposed to turn base metal into gold. 
32. Orient. Eastern; that is, bright, radiant. 

34. Firm. That is, constant. 

35. Foot. In addition to which. 

37. .Opulent. Commanding many kingdoms. 
39. Arrogant. Some editions read ''rampaunt." The 
word in the folio is *' arm-gaunt," an obvious misprint. 
41. Beastly. A peculiar adverbial use of the word. 
50. Mingle. Mixture. The word is here a noun. 

52. Post. Messengers. 

53. Several. Separate. 

54. Thick. So many in succession. 
59. Emphasis. Emphatic praise. 

62. Paragon. Here a verb, meaning to compare favor- 
ably. 

64. Salad. Youthful, green. 



NOTES 141 

65. Cold. That is, you are cold in blood. 

69. Unpeople. By sending everybody as a messenger. 



ACT II. 

Scene I. 

I. Shall. Will, can not but assist. 

3. Not deny. Do not necessarily deny. 

4. Whiles. While; that is, while we are praying, the 
thing for which we are praying is losing in value through 
delay. 

6. Harms. For things that would harm us. 

8. Of. We should say by "the losing of." 

10. Crescent. Waxing greater. 

10. Auguring. Prophetic. 

18. Have. Where did you learn this? 

21. Salt. Wanton. 

21. Waned. Faded in beauty. 

24. Epicurean, Accented on the antipenult. Epicurus 
was a philosopher who taught that the pursuit of pleasure 
was the highest good in life. He meant, however, mental 
rather than physical pleasures. 

25. Cloy less. That is, not cloying; that sharpen rather 
than satisfy the appetite. 

26. Prorogue. Keep his honor languishing, prevent it 
from asserting itself. 

27. Lethe' d. Lethe was a river of Hades whose waters 
brought forgetfulness to everyone who drank of them. 

31. Space. It is time enough even for a longer journey 
than that from Egypt to Rome. 
;^^. Helm. Helmet. 

37. Widow. Young Ptolemy, to whom Caesar had mar- 
ried Cleopatra, had been drowned. 

38. Hope. Expect. 

39. Well greet. Greet on good terms. 

40. Trespasses. Committed ofifenses. 
45. Pregnant. Likely, probable. 

45. Square. Quarrel. 

49. Yet not. Do not yet. 

51. Our lives upon. It is necessary if we value our 
lives. 



142 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Scene II. 

6. Mars. The god of war. 

8. ShareH. I would not show him even so small a mark 
of respect. 

9. Stomaching. Resentment, quarreling. 

15. Compose. Agree well together, come to terms. 

15. Parthia. We will set out for Parthia. 

16. I do not know. Said in answer to some question 
without the scenes. 

18. Combined. United. 

19. Leaner. Lesser, more trivial. 
21. Loud, In angry words. 

23. Rather. All the more because. 

25. Curstness, Do not let anger make our differences 
greater. 

26. To fight. About to fight. 

34. Derogately. In disparaging terms. 

35. It, Did. 

39. Practice. Plotted against me. 

40. Question. That is, a question that concerned me. 
40. Intend. What do you mean by "practiced"? 

43. Contestation. Quarrel. 

44. Theme. Had you for its theme or cause. 

44. Word. Watchword of the war. 

45. Business, Misunderstood the matter. 

46. Urge me. Urge my name as a pretext for making 
war. 

46. Inquire, Make inquiries about it. 

47. Reports. Reporters, people who supported you. 

49. Discredit, Throw discredit over me as well as you. 

50. Stomach. Desire. 

51. Alike. Since I am engaged in the same cause with 
yourself. 

52. Patch. If you insist upon patching up a quarrel 
with me out of mere trivialities, for you have no real cause, 
you must find some better ground than this. 

56. Patched. You had just as little real ground for your 
excuses. 

57. Lack. I know you could not help thinking. 

60. Graceful eyes. Look favorably upon. 

61. Fronted. Opposed. 

63. Snaffle. Light rein. 

64. Pace, Teach to go lightly. ^;.^. ,: ' 



NOTES 143 

64. Wife. That is, if you were married to a woman of 
such spirit you would find that, although you may easily 
govern a third of the world, you cannot govern her. 

67. Uncurhahle. Ungovernable as she was, her com- 
motions, etc. 

70. Did you. Gave you too much reason for disquiet. 

70. For that. As for all that. 

74. Gihe. Drive out with gibes. 

74. Missive. The bearer of my missive. 

76. Want. Was not myself. 

78. Myself. What my condition had been, 

81. Question. Let us put him out of the question. 

82. Article. The promise, that to which you swore. 
85. Sacred. My honor, about which he is now speaking, 

is a sacred matter; let him say all that he has to say, therefore, 
that I may vindicate it. 

90. Poisoned. Tainted with slothfulness and pleasure. 

94. //. That is, my honesty. 

98. Noble. Nobly. 

99. Enforce. Lay stress upon, urge. 

100. Grieves. Grievances. 

102. Atone. Reconcile, make friends. 

104. Instant. Time being. 

no. Stone. That is, I will be as silent as a stone; I am 
discretion itself. 

113. Conditions. Dispositions, temperaments. 

115. Hoop. Bond would hold us in friendship. 

122. Rashness. That is, your rashness would deserve 
reproof. 

127. Unslipping. A slip knot is one that will come un- 
tied if one of its ends is pulled. 

128. To. For. 

130. General. All her various virtues. 

133. Import. Carry with them dangers. 

134. Tales. Only idle reports. 

138. Studied. One that has been duly pondered. 

138. Present. Uttered on the spur of the moment. 

139. Ruminated. One which my sense of duty has made 
me carefully consider. 

144. Unto. Over. 

145. Fairly. Shows so fair, plausible. 
147. Further. Help on. 

153. Fly off. May our affections never become es- 
tranged again. 



144 .\NTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

156. Only. I must just thank him, lest I seem forgetful 
of his courtesies. 

158. Calls. Presses. 

159. Of. By. 

161. Misenum. A promontory in the province of Cam- 
pania where there was an excellent harbor. 
164. Fame, Report. 

167. Most. The utmost. 

168. View. To come to see my sister. 
177. Digested. Settled. 

177. Well by't. Had a capital time. 

180. Wild-boars. Plutarch says: "When he (Philotus) 
was in the kitchen and saw . . . eight wild boars roasted 
whole, he began to wonder at it, and said: 'Sure you have 
a great number of guests to supper.' . . . 'No,' quoth 
he (the cook), *not many guests, not above twelve in all.' " 

182. By. In comparison with. 

186. Square. Do her justice. 

187. Pursed. Took it captive. 

188. Cydnus. A river flowing through the city of Tarsus. 
"Upon" means "on the banks of." 

189. Reporter. Informant made up the story. 

192. The barge, etc. This follows Plutarch's description. 

193. Poop. Stem. 

200. Of tissue. Probably cloth of gold on a ground-work 
of tissue. 

201. O^er-picturing. Outdoing that picture of Venus. 
According to Warburton, this was the Venus of Protogenes, 
a celebrated Greek painter, mentioned by the Latin poet, 
Pliny. 

202. Outwork. Where the fancy of the artist exceeds the 
beauty of nature. 

203. Cupids. Cupid was god of love. 

206. Undid did. That is, made the cheeks glow whose 
warmth they were intended to cool. 

207. Nereides. Mermaids, the fifty daughters of Nereus. 

208. /' the eyes. Waited upon her, observant of her 
every look. 

209. Bends adornings. Pages of commentary have been 
written on this passage, but the simplest explanation seems 
the best. Their very acts of observance in waiting upon 
her were so graceful as to add a fresh charrn to their beauty. 

210. Tackle, Ropes, sails, etc, 
311, ^welU Vibrate. 



NOTES 



145^ 



212. Yarely. Deftly, nimbly. 

212. Office. Perform the duty. 

214. Wharfs. Banks. 

215. Upon. Rushed forth to greet her. 

217. Vacancy. An allusion to the doctrine then in vogue, 
that nature abhors a vacuum. 

222. Should. Would. 

225. Barhefd. A sign of great respect. 

226. Ordinary. Meal. 

228. Wench. Girl, not necessarily in a bad sense. 

231. Defect perfection. That is, her breathlessness only 
made her seem more lovely. 

235. Stale. Render stale, destroy the charm. 

239. Becomes. Seem becoming. 

239. That. So that. 

240. Riggish. Wanton. Rig means a frolic. 

241. Settle. Content. 
243. Lottery, Prize. 



Scene III. 

I. Office, Affairs of state. 

6. Square. That is, I have not squared or ordered my 
conduct well. 

10. Sirrah. Sir. This word is generally addressed to 
inferiors. 

14. Motion. Mind, mental vision. 

19. Demon. Familiar spirit, the spirit that watches over 
a man. 

22. Fear. Becomes the very personification of fear; is 
utterly afraid. 

27. ^Gainst the odds. In spite of the odds being in your 
favor. 

27. Thickens. Grows dull. 

32. Parthia. A province in western Asia. 

32. Hap. Chance. 

2,7,. Dice. Even when he throws dice, he turns up the 
lucky numbers. 

34. Cunning. Skill. 

35. Chance. Good luck. 

35. Speeds. Is successful. 

36. Cocks. Cock fights were popular sports in England. 
36. Still. Always. 



146 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

37. Nought. Even when the odds are as much in my 
favor as everything to nothing. 

37. Quails. These birds were often used in place of 
. cocks as fighters. 

38. Inhoop^d. The birds were confined within a hoop to 
keep them fighting. 

38. At odds. Though the odds were in my favor. 

Scene IV. 

3. E'en hut. But just. 

6. Conceive. Calculate the time the journey will take 
us. 

6. Mount. Museum. 

8. About. Draw me a roundabout route. 

Scene V. 

I. Moody, Grave, melancholy. 

3. Billiards. An English, not an Egyptian, game. 

8. Short. Though the result is not a success. 

10. Angle. Fishing rod. 

12. Tawny. Yellow. 

17, Salt-fish. See previous note. 

18. Fervency. Eagerness. 
21. Ninth. Nine o'clock. 
2 2 . Tires. Head-dresses . 

23. Philippan. The sword was so named because An- 
tony won the battle of Philippi, his greatest victory. It was 
an English, not a Roman custom, to name swords for a great 
victory. 

28. Yield, Report. 

32. Use. Are accustomed to say. 

36. Go to. Here in the sense of "go on." 

38. Tart a favor. So gloomy an expression. 

41. Formal. Ordinary; not in the form of a man. 

51. Precedence. What has gone before. 

54. Pack. That is, the whole cpntents of your bundle of 
news. 

63. Unhair. Tear out every hair. 

65. Lingering. That is, you shall linger in pickle. 

70. Boot. Give you to boot, give you in addition. 

71. Modesty. Moderation. 
73. Made. Committed. 



NOTES 



147 



74. Within yourself. Do you get beside yourself; con- 
trol yourself. 

78. All. That is, all kindly creatures. 

81. Nobility. That is, it is beneath their dignity to 
strike a menial. 

89. Worser. Shakespeare often uses this form of the 
comparative. 

91. Hold. Stick to your word. 

95. Narcissus. That is, the beauty of Narcissus, the 
son of Cephissus, a river god. He Was so beautiful that the 
nymph Echo pined away and died for love of him. 

96. Ugly. On account of your news. 
100. Unequal. Very unfair. 

102. That art not what thou' rt sure of. This is the read- 
ing of the folios and seems to mean. You are only the mes- 
senger, not the evil message itself of which you are so sure. 
Some editors change the line to read thus: 

"That art not; what? thou'rt sure of it?" etc. 

103. Merchandise. Goods. The word is treated here as 
plural. 

104. Hand, That is, you must be responsible for them. 

111. Feature. Personal appearance. 

112. Inclination. Disposition. 

115. Gorgon. Medusa, a fabulous monster, who turned 
everyone to stone who looked upon her. The meaning is 
that he resembles one of the 'double" pictures formerly in 
vogue, which represented one subject on the front and 
another on the back. On one side he is as ugly as a Gorgon, 
on the other as splendid as Mars. 



Scene VI. 

4. Purposes. What terms we are ready to make. 
7. Tall. Sturdy, courageous. 

9. Senators. You whose wisdom rules the world* 

10. Factors. Agents; 

13. Ghosted. Haunted. 

14. For him. That is, to avenge him. 

15. Cassius. One of the chief conspirators against 
Caesar. 

17* Rest. That is, with the rest who took up arms. 
X 7* Courtier s> That is, lured on by their love of freedom. 



148 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

19. But a man. Except that they would have Caesar but 
an ordinary citizen, not a despot. 

20. Burthen. Burden. 

22. Despiteful. Ungrateful. 
24. Fear. Frighten. 

27. O'er count me of. Pompey evidently means that An- 
tony not only outnumbers him, but has over-reached him in 
business. Plutarch tells us that Antony bought the elder 
Pompey's house v^^hen it was put up for public sale, but when 
he was asked for the money "he made it very strange, and 
was offended with them." 

28. Cuckoo. The cuckoo builds no nest for itself, but 
takes possession of that built by some other bird. The 
meaning is, since, like the cuckoo, you have invaded the 
house of another, remain in it while you can. 

30. Present. This has nothing to do with the matter on 
which we are at present engaged. 

34. Larger fortune. By trying to gain more in opposition 
to us. 

37. Measures. Supplies. 

37. Greed. Agreed. 

38. Unhack'd edges. That is, without hacking the edges 
of our shields; without fighting. 

39. Targes. Shields. 

43. Impatience. Has somewhat irritated me. 

48. Studied. Am prepared, earnestly desire. 

52. Timelier, Sooner than I intended coming. 

55. Counts. Marks, lines, as one ''casts accounts." 

57. Vassal. Servant. 

59. Composition. Agreement, treaty. 

60. Next. Next thing. 
65. Fame. Praise. 

73. Do. That is, fare well. 

74. Toward. In preparation. 

81. Galley. A boat propelled by rowers sitting in tiers. 

84. Known. That is, we have known each other. 

98. True. Honest. 

98. Whatsome'er. Whatsoever. 

114. Pray, etc. Pray, is that true? 

116. Is. Shakespeare sometimes uses a singular verb 
when it precedes two singular subjects. 

117. Divine. Predict concerning. 

1 19. Purpose. That is, the purpose to make Caesar and 
Antony friends. 



NOTES 149 

124. Conversation, Temperament, behavior. 
132. Occasion, Necessity, good policy. 

Scene VII. 

* Banquet. This word generally means the dessert. 

2. Plants. A play on words, as plants also means the 
soles of the feet. 

5. Alms^ drink. The leavings, liquor that one drinks to 
accommodate a companion. 

6. Disposition. That is, banter one another. 

13. Partisan. A kind of halberd or battle axe. 

14. Huge sphere. The comparison is expressed ellipti- 
cally. The meaning is, for a man such as Lepidus to be 
called to a high position, and remain a mere nonentity in it, 
is to be no better than are empty sockets where eyes should 
be, which only disfigure the face. 

* Sennet. A series of notes sounded on the trumpet or 
cornet. 

18. Scales. That is, they measure the rise of the Nile 
by marks made on the pyramid for that purpose. 

19. Mean. That is, the average height, neither very high 
nor very low. 

20. Poison. Plenty. 

23. Shortly comes. That is, is soon rewarded by a har- 
vest without any further trouble on his part. 

26. Your. A colloquial use of the pronoun, not indicat- 
ing, of course, actual possession. 

32. Out, Never refuse to drink a toast. 

34. In. That is, in a state of drunkenness; a play on the 
word "out.'* 

36. Pyramises, This form of the plural is of Shake- 
speare's own coining, although the singular, pyramis — the 
Greek form for pyramid — was in common use. Shake- 
speare probably uses it here to show that Lepidus was 
already fast getting "in." 

40. Anon. For a few moments. 

45. It own. It was an old provincial genitive, usually 
used with own. 

46. Elements. Principles of life. 

46. Transmigrates. The ancients beheved that the spirit, 
on leaving the body, passed into some other body to live 
again. 

53. Epicure, A skillful judge of physical delights. 



ISO ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

55. Merit. That is, out of regard for my merit. 
580 Cap off. That is, I have ever been your faithful 
follower. 

68. Jove. That is, ruler of the world, as Jove is ruler 
of the heavens. 

69. Pales, Encloses, bounds. 
69. Inclips. Embraces. 

71. Competitors. Associates. 

74. There. This has been variously explained; some 
change it to then or theirs, some think it means "by that 
act," and some simply, ''All there is in the vessel is 
thine/' 

78. Mine honor. Mine honor leads it. 

^2,' Paird, Waning, declining. 

84. Seeks, Compare the proverb, * ' He who Vv^ill not when 
he may, when he will, he shall have nay." 

91. A\ He. 

93. Wheels. "The World Goes Upon Wheels" was 
the title of a pamphlet written by Taylor, a poet of the 
period. 

94. Reels. That is, help to make the . world go round 
faster. 

96. Alexandrian. It cannot compare with Cleopatra's 
feasts at Alexandria. 

97. Strike the vessels. Open fresh casks of wine. 

98. Forbear H. Desist. 

loi. Possess. That is, master the times rather than be 
guided by them. 

102. From, That is, from drinking. 

104. Bacchanals. Dances performed in honor of Bac- 
chus, the god of wine; wild orgies. 

III. Holding. The burden or refrain of a song. 

III. Bear, Shout the refrain. 

114. Pink eyen. Eyen is the old plural of "eye." Pink 
probably means small or half -closed eyes. 

115. Fats, A dialect form of "vats." 
120. Off. To be off, to leave the vessel. 
122. Burnt, Flushed them with wine. 

125. Anticked, This motley dress of drunkenness has 
made buffoons, or fools, of us. 
• 126. Try, That is, test your friendship. 



NOTES 151 

ACT III. 

Scene I. . 

1. Darting Parthia. The Parthian horsemen, as they 
fled, turned in their saddles discharging darts at the enemy. 

2. Marcus Crassus. A Roman general who was de- 
feated by the Parthians in 53 B.C., and treacherously put 
to death. 

4. Pacorus. Son of Orodes, king of Parthia. 

10. Chariots. The plural is used simply to amplify the 
picture. 

14. Too great. Too great because it may excite the 
jealousy of his superior. 

18. In their officer. By their generals than by their own 
deeds. 

20. By the minute. Every minute. 

24. Darken. Obscure his fame. 

29. Grants. Affords. That is, you have that wisdom 
without which there is little difference between a soldier and 
his sw^ord. 

34. Jaded. Driven out like ]ades^ a name given to worn- 
out horses. 

35. Purposeth to. That is, purposes to make for Athens. 

Scene II. 

2. Despatched. Come to an agreement. 

3. Sealing. Putting their seals to the agreement. 
6. ^Tis. The use of ''it" is contemptuous here. 

11. Nonpareil. One that has no equal. 

12. Arabian. The phoenix which, according to fable, 
after death rose again from its own ashes. 

17. Cast. Compute in figures. 

17. Number, That is, tell in numbers or verses. 

20. Shards, The horny wing cases of the beetle. He 
means Caesar and Antony are the wings which raise the dull 
and sluggish Lepidus. 

27. Approoj. And as I am ready to venture my strongest 
bond (band) as security for your conduct proving good. 

28. Piece. Masterpiece. 

29. Cement. Accent on the first syllable. 

30. Ram. Battering rams were common implements of 
war before the days of firearms. 



152 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

32. Mean. Means; that is, this alliance. 

34. In. By your distrust of me. 

35. Curious. Careful, anxious. 

40. jklements. That is, on her voyage to Egypt. 
48. Inform. Give it utterance. 

51. Cloud. If a horse has a dark spot between his eyes 
he is said to have a cloud in his face, which is regarded as 
a blemish, as it is supposed to indicate bad temper. 

57. Rheum, Was addicted to weeping. 

58. Confound. Destroy. 
58. Waird. Bewailed. 

60. Still. Constantly, continually. 

61. Out-go. That is, I will think of you as long as I 
live. 

Scene III. 

14. As. This word had somewhat the force of a preposi- 
tion; hence the objective case following. 

15. Shrill. Sprightly, lively of speech. 
22. Station. Manner of standing still. 

24. Breather. A living being. 

25. Observance. Powers of observation. 

26. Note. Observation. That is, there are not three 
persons in Egypt who are better qualified to observe. 

27. Yet. So far as he has described her. 
29. Prithee. Pray thee. 

37. As low as. Slang for ''as low as it could be." 

41. Proper. A fine fellow. 

43. Harried. Scolded, used roughly. 

44. No such thing. Nothing very remarkable. 
46. Defend. Forbid. 

Scene IV. 

3. Semblable. Similar, the same. 

6. Scantly. Slightingly, grudgingly. 

9. TookH. Refused to take it. 

10. From his teeth. That is, took it only in a half-hearted 
way, for form's sake, not with sincerity. 

12. Stomach. Receive with anger, resent. 

15. Presently. At once, immediately. 

22. Best. That is, is best able to preserve it — his honor. 

25. Between' s. Act as mediator between us. 

26. Preparation. That is, a force prepared for war. 



NOTES 153 

27. Stain. Throw into the shade, outshine. 

27. Soonest. Utmost. 

28. Desires are yours. In this way you have what you 
desire. 

32. Solder. That is, the rift could only be closed by an 
appalling amount of bloodshed. 

Scene V. 

5. Success. Result. 

7. Rivality. Partnership. The primary meaning of 
rivals is ''associates." 

10. Wrote. An unusual form of the past participle which 
was more commonly ''writ" or "written." 

10. Appeal. A criminal charge, impeachment. 

11. Up. Shut up. 

12. Pair of chaps. That is, the world is now divided 
between Caesar and Antony, and they will fight it out between 
them. 

17. Rush. That is, every little thing that comes in his 
way. 

20. For. That is, it is hired for Italy against Caesar. 
20. More. There is more to tell, namely, that Antony 
desires you instantly. 

22. Naught. Of no importance. 

Scene VI. 

I. Contemning. To show his contempt of Rome. 

3. Market place. Public square. 

3. Tribunal. A raised platform, so called because in the 
days of the Roman republic, the tribunes used to sit on such 
a platform when transacting public business. 

9. Stablishment. Established her queen of Egypt, gave 
her Egypt as an inheritance. 

12. Exercise. That is, in the area where the athletic 
exercises were held. 

18. Gave audience. Received complaints and petitions. 
20. Who. That is, the Roman people. 

20. Queasy. Disgusted, sick of his insolence. 

21. Call. Recall their good opinion. 
25. Spoird. Despoiled. 

25. Rated. Assigned him a just share. 

27. Unrestored. Which has not been restored to him. 



154 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

28. Of. From. 

29. Being. That is, being deposed. 

34. Change. That is, changed position. 
34. For. As regards what. 

40. Castaway. That is, cast off by her husband. 
47. Borne men. That is, been crowded with spectators. 
47. Expectation fainted. That is, the spectators should 
have fainted with expectation. 

50. Populous. Numerous. 

51. Market-maid. That is, Hke a maid on her way to 
market. 

52. Ostentation. Display, manifestation. 

53. Unloved. That is, love which is denied opportunity 
for showing itself often ceases to be felt. 

54. Stage. In your journey. 

55. Augmented. That is, a greeting by increasing num- 
bers of persons. 

61. Obstruct. Obstruction. 

66. Nodded. Hath summoned him with a mere nod. 

66. Who. That is, both Antony and Cleopatra. 

68. BocchuSj etc. This list of kings Shakespeare gets 
from Plutarch. 

75. More larger. A double comparative. 

77. Afflict. Injure. 

78. Withhold. Prevent. 

79. Wrong led. Wrongly led, misled. 

80. Negligent. That is, in danger from being negligent. 
82. Content. That is, spoils your peace by the necessity 

for strong measures. 

^^. Determined. That is, determined by fate. 

88. Best of comfort. This may either mean, ''May the 
best of comfort be yours," or, ''You are my greatest com- 
fort," 

94. Potent regiment. Powerful sway. 

94. Trull. Infamous woman. 

95. Noises it. Uses it for making a disturbance. 



Scene VII. 

3. Forspoke. Spoken against, opposed. 
5. Denounced. Pronounced; if the war is declared 
against us why, etc. 

II. Traduced. Accused of. 



NOTES 



155 



12. Eumich. Mardian. 

14. Charge. Have a part in the expenses and supplies. 
16. For, As if I were a man. 
21. Take in. Capture. 

24. Becomed. This form of the participle occurs several 
times in Shakespeare. 

27. For that. For the reason that, because. 
31. Vantage. Advantage. 

33. Muleters. Muleteers, mule-drivers. 

34. Ingross'd^ etc. Levied or ''impressed" into service 
hurriedly. 

36. Yare. Light and easily managed. 

37. Fall. Fall upon you. 

44. Assurance. That is, assurance of success. 

45. Merely. Altogether. 

46. Fro?n. Away from. 

48. Overplus. Superfluous ships. 

49. Head of Actium. The promontory of Actium. 
52. Descried. His approach is observed. 

55. Power. His army. 

56. Legions. The Roman army consisted of legions, 
each containing five thousand men. 

56. Hold. Command. 

58. Thetis. My sea nymph. Thetis was one of the 
Nereides or nymphs. 

60. Misdoubt. Have you lost confidence in. 

62. Phoenicians. In ancient times the Phoenicians were 
noted sailors. 

62. Go-a-du^king. Take to the water as ducks do. 

63. Used. Have been accustomed to. 

67. Power onH. That is, his whole plan of action is 
based not upon his greatest strength — i.e., his land force — 
but upon the whims of a woman. 

73. Carries. Goes. 

74. Distractions. That is, his forces marched in so many 
different divisions. 

75. Beguiled. Deceived. 



Scene VIII. 



5. Prescript. Instructions. 

6. Jump, Risk, hazard. 



156 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

Scene IX. 

7. Squadrons. Fleet. 

. 7. Yond. Yonder. The word is really an adverb 
formed on the old adjective yon. 

8. Battle. Battle array, army. 

Scene X. 

2. Antoniad. Cleopatra's own ship, named for Antony- 

3. Sixty. That is, sixty vessels. 

5. Synod. Assembly. The word was formerly applied 
chiefly to the gods, but later it was used largely of ecclesiasti- 
cal assemblies. 

6. Cantle. Portion; the word originally meant " corner." 

9. Tokened. Spotted. The marks of the plague vv'ere 
popularly called ''God's tokens." 

10. Rihaudred. Profligate woman. 
12. Vantage. Advantage. 

14. Breeze. As if stung by a gadfly. 

18. Loofd. Luffed, having turned her vessel toward the 
wind. 

19. Magic. Charms, fascinations. 

20. Sea-wing. Raises his sails. 

20. Mallard. Drake, the male wild duck. 

27. Knew himself. Displayed the courage he knows he 
possesses. 

29. Thereabouts. Is that what you think? 

31. Peloponnesus. The southern peninsula of Greece. 

32. Easy toH. Easy to reach it. 
32. Attend. Await. 

36. Wounded chance. "Broken fortunes." 

37. Sits in the wind. Opposes such a course. 

Scene XL 

3. Lated. Belated. 

17. Sweep your way. Make your reconciliation with 
Caesar easy. 

18. Loathness. Unwillingness to leave me. 

21. Possess you. Put you in possession of them. 

23. Command. That is, I have lost the power to com- 
mand you. 

36. Dancer. Caesar, at the Battle of Philippi, did not 
draw his sword, but wore it as if he were at a dance. 



NOTES 157 

38. Ended. That is, it was I that ended the mad 
Brutus. 

39. Lieutenantry . Acted by means of his lieutenants 
instead of fighting himself. 

40. Squares. Squadrons. 

44. Unqualitied. Has lost his natural qualities, is not 
himself. 

47. Bid. Except, unless. 

49. Offended. Sinned against my reputation. 

50. Unnohle. Ignoble. 

53. Looking hack. Some editors explain this passage by 
"See, how by looking another way, I withdrav,- my ignominy 
from your sight." Others give it a wider meaning: "See 
how I am trying to hide my shame from you by holding 
myself aloof and bitterly meditating on the ruin of my power 
and reputation." 

54. Stroyed. Destroyed. 

57. Strings. That is, by the heart strings. 

62. Treaties. Entreaties, proposals of peace. 

63. Palter. Equivocate, use tricks. 
69. Fall. Do not let fall. 

69. Rates. Equals in value. 

71. Schoolmaster. One Euphronius, the teacher of An- 
tony and Cleopatra's children. 

72. Lead. Heavy of heart. 



Scene XII. 

3. Argument. A proof that he is hard hit. 
5. Which. Who. 
10. His. Its. 



10 
10 
12 

15 
18 

25 
28 



Sea. The ocean. 

Office. The duty you have come to perform. 

Requires. Requests that he be allowed. 

Private. That is, as a private citizen. 

Circle. That is, the crown of Egypt. 

Bands. Troops. 

Add more J etc. And in addition, make her more 



vou. 



offers as they may suggest themselves to 

30. Perjure. Cause to be false to themselves. 

31. Vestal. Vestals were priestesses of the goddess Vesta 
who were vowed to a life of celibacy. 

32. Edict. That is, name your own reward. 



158 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

34. Becomes his flaw. How he bears himself under his 
fallen fortunes. 

36. Power. That is, in every one of his faculties. 

Scene XIII. 

I. Think, and die. Take thought, despair and die. 
5. Ranges. Ranks. 

8. Nick'd. Disfigure, mark with folly. 
10. Meered. The whole question, the only cause of 
dispute. The etymology of this word is somewhat doubtful. 

II. Course. Follow as a hunter courses after game. 
12. Gazing. That is, gazing after him in consternation. 
19. Principalities. Kingdoms. 

26. Comparisons. Some editors think this means his 
advantages as compared with mine; others take it as a 
misprint for ''caparisons." 

27. Declined. Fallen in estate. 

29. High-battled. The commander of proud and vic- 
torious armies. 

30. Unstate. Divest himself of his advantages. 

30. Staged. Exhibit himself on a stage. 

31. Sworder. A gladiator, a slave who fought in the 
arena at public shows. 

32. Parcel. Of a piece with, correspond with. 

34. Suffer. To suffer the same ruin. 

35. Measures. So well able to guage men's measures or 
capacities. 

39. Blown. Full blown. 

41. Square. Quarrel. 

42. Loyalty. Loyalty to a fool becomes mere folly. 
46. /' the story. Wins renown when the story is told. 
48. Haply. Perhaps. 

51. Leap. Is eager to be friends. 

52. He is. We acknowledge Antony's master, that is, 
Caesar. 

55. Right royal. Gracious sir. 

59. Constrained. Faults forced upon you. 

63. Leaky. So like a leaky ship. 

71. Shrowd. Protection. The word originally meam 
any kind of garment or covering. 

74. Deputation. By deputy or proxy. 

77. All'Oheying. Whose commands are obeyed by all 
men* 



NOTES 159 

81. Grace. Allow men the favor of kissing your hand. 

82. C Cesar's father. The great general, Julius Caesar, 
who had adopted Octavius, his grandnephew. 

8^. Kingdoms in. Conquering kingdoms. 

85. As. As if. 

87. Fullest. Most complete or perfect, fullest of good 
qualities. 

91. Muss. A scramble after some object that had been 
thrown down. 

93. Jack. Impudent fellow. 

98. She here. Used contemptuously. Of this woman 
here who was once Cleopatra. 

100. Cringe. Distort his face in pain or fear. 

109. Feeders. Parasites, those who live on the bounty 
of others. Some think it means merely servants. 

no. Boggier. Bungler, blunderer. 

112. Seel. Blind. 

117. Trencher. A large plate. 

118. Cneius Pompey, The present Pompey's father, a 
great Roman general. 

120. Luxuriously. Wantonly. 

121. Temperance, Here, chastity. 

124. Quit. Requite. A common phrase of beggars. 

127. Basan. We find in the Psalms, ''As the hill of 
Basan, so is God's hill; even an high hill, as the hill of 
Basan." And again, "Many oxen have come about me: 
fat bulls of Basan close me in on every side." 

131. Yare. Prompt and skillful. 

132. A\ Our. 

138. Fever. Give you a fever. 

146. Orhs. Spheres. 

147. Ahysm. Abyss. 

147. Mislike. Dislike, is angry at. 

149. Enjranched. Enfranchised; a slave who has been 
set free. 

151. Quit. Requhe, get even with me. 

152. Stripes. Lashings. 

153. Terrene. Earthly moon; that is, Cleopatra. . 

154. Portends. Foretells, indicates. 

157. Ties his points. One who does the duty of a ser- 
vant; hterally, fastens the tagged lacings of his garments, or 
his points, as they were called. 

161. Determines. As the stone dissolves. 

162. CcBsarion. Her son by Julius Caesar. 



i6o ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

165. Discandying. Melting. 

165. Pelleted. Storm of pellets or hail stones. 

171. Fleet, Float, in sea trim. 

175. Chronicle, Will perform acts that deserve to be 
chronicled. 

178 Breathed, Endowed with treble breath. 

179, Maliciously. Without mercy. 

180. Nice. Dainty, luxurious. 
183. Gatidy. Joyous, festive. 
192. Sap, Life. 

197. Estridge, Ostrich. 



ACT IV. 



Scene I. 

5. I have many other. Said ironically. 

9. Make hoot. Take advantage. 

14. Fetch him. Take him captive. 

15. Store. Abundance of means. 

16. Waste, Lavishness. 



Scene II. 

7. WooH. Would thou. A provincial form. 

8. Take all. That is, I would give no quarter. 

17. Clapped, That is, I wish I could be made into many 
persons while you all became Antony. 

21. Scant. Do not stint the wine. 

22. Fellow. That is, when I had an empire at my 
command as well as you. 

25. Period. End. 

26. Haply. Perhaps. 

26. //. That is, if you do see me, it may be as a mangled 
corpse. 

33. Yield. Give you reward.' 

35. Onion-eyed. Have tears in my eyes. 

36. Ho, etc. Said in mockery and perhaps rebuke. 
39. Dolorous. Doleful, melancholy. 

41. Burn this night. That is, burn out; feast all night 
long. 



NOTES i6i 

44. Death and honor. An honorable death. 

45. Consideration, Serious thoughts. 

Scene III. 

5. Belike. Very Hkely. 

10. Absolute. Certain. 

* Hautboys. A wind instrument made of wood. 

14. Signs. It is a good omen. 

16. Hercules. A legendary Greek hero who was in later 
times regarded as a god. 

22. Quarter. As far as the Hmits of our beat. 

23. Give off. Cease. 

23. Content. Very good, all right. 

Scene IV. 

2. Chu^k. Chick; a term of endearment. 

5. Brave. Defy. 

7. Armourer. Armor bearer. 
10. Briefly. Immediately. 

13. Daff't. Doff it, remove it. 

14. Squire. In feudal times, the attendant of a knight 

15. Tight. Skillful, handy. 
23. Port. Gate. 

23. Expect. Await. 

25. Blown. Some editors take this word to refer to the 
trumpets, and others to the morning. The former inter- 
pretation seems rather more in keeping with Antony's mood. 

28. Well said. Rather, well done. 

31. Check. Rebuke. 

32. Mechanic, Vulgar^, like what a mechanic would use. 

Scene V. 

14. Subscribe. Sign the letter. 

17. Enobarbus. That he of all men should desert me. 

Scene VI. 

2. Took. Taken. 

6. Three-nook'd. That is, one divided between Caesar, 
Antony and Lepidus. 

9. Plant. That is, to plant or place. 



i62 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

II. Jewry, That is, Judea. 

15. Pains. That is, for the pains or trouble he took. 

17. Entertainment, Are allowed to serve him but are not 
trusted. 

22. Overplus, That is, with presents added to it. 

23. On my guard. That is, where I was on guard. 
26. Sajed, Give him safe conduct out of the army. 

33. Turpitude, Baseness. 

34. Blows. Breaks. The figure seems to be that this 
act of Antony fills his heart with remorse almost to bursting. 

35. Thought, Bitter reflections. 

Scene VIL 

2. Oppression, That is, we have ventured too far and 
met more opposition than we expected. 

5. Droven, An old form of "driven.*' 

6. Clouts. That is, with their heads tied up in bandages. 

7. T. Shaped like a T. 

8. H. A pun is intended here on the word "ache," 
which was formerly pronounced like the letter H. 

II. Snatch, Catch them by the neck as dogs catch hares. 
13. Spritely. Spirited, encouraging. 

Scene VIII. 

2. Gests. Valorous acts, exploits. 

5. Doughty -handed. Stout-handed, brave soldiers. 

7. Hectors. You have all shown yourselves as brave as 
Hector — the great hero of the Trojans during their ten 
years* war with the Greeks. 

8. Clip. Embrace. 

11. Whole, Until they are whole again. 

12. Fairy, Mistress of the fairies, enchantress. 

15. Prooj of harness. Armor of proof, or metal that had 
been "proved" by being subjected to a severe test. 

17. Virtue. Here, valor, which .was the original meaning 
of the word. 

20. Something. Somewhat. 

22. Goal for goal. That is, for every goal youth wins of 
us we can win one from them. 

28. Carbuncled. Set with carbuncle stones like the wheels 
of Phoebus Apollo's car, as described by Ovid. 

31. Targets. Shields. 



NOTES 163- 

31. Owe. That is, bear our hack'd targets as becomes 
those who own them. The expression may very possibly 
mean, however, ''targets hack'd like the men that own 
them." 

37. Tambourines. Here, drimis. 

Scene IX. 

2. Court of guard. The guard room where the sentinels 
muster. 

3. Shiny. Clear. 

3. Embattle. Muster for battle. 

5. Shrewd. Bad, unfortunate. 

6. List. Listen to him. 

8. Revolted. Who have revolted, been traitors. 

12. Melancholy. The influence of the moon was sup- 
posed to produce madness. 

13. Disponge. Shed like a sponge. 

15. Throw my heart. Johnson regards this line as a 
conceit unworthy of Shakespeare. 

20. Particular. That is, as far as you yourself are con- 
cerned, but let the world call me a traitor. 

30. Raught. Reached him. 

31. Demurely. That is, gravely, with measured beat of 
drums, as befits so serious a day as the one before us. 

32. Note. Importance, rank. 

Scene X. 

7. The Haven. They have sailed out of the harbor. 
The rest of the line is mere conjecture. 

8. Appointment. Preparation and equipment. 

Scene XI. 

10. Charged. That is, but for the fact that we may be, 
unless we are charged. 

11. Shall. That is, shall be allowed to be. 

12. Vales. Valleys. 

13. Best advantage. And secure the best positions. 

Scene XII. 

I. Yet. As yet. 

3. Swallows. This anecdote is related by Plutarch. 

8. Fretted, Mingled of success and failure. 



r64 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

13. Triple-turned. Three times faithless, to Caesar, to 
Pompey, and now to me. 

14. Novice, Innocent youth. 
16. Charm. Charmer. 

2 1 . SpanieVd, Followed and fawned on me like spaniels. 

22. Discandy. Melt away, as above. 

25. Grave. Deadly, poisonous charm. 

26. Becked, Beckoned, called forth wars by a mere 
gesture. 

27. Crownet. Crown. 

28. Right. True, one who deserves the name. 

28. Fast and loose. An old game used to cheat the 
trusting out of pennies. 

30. Avaunt. Out of my sight. 

34. Plebeians. The common people. Accented on the 
first syllable here. 

36. Monster. Monstrosity, something unnatural. 

36. Be shown, etc. That is, be made a show for the 
sport of the commonest and meanest rabble. Some editors 
change "dolt" to "doit," and read, "Be exhibited for the 
smallest fee, like some strange monster at a show." 

39. Prepared. Which have grown long for the purpose. 

43. Nessus. A centaur whom Hercules had slain with a 
poisoned arrow. He sent to his wife for a garment in which 
to offer sacrifice and she, being angry with him at the time, 
sent him a robe dipped in the poisonous blood of Nessus. 
The garment caused him such intense agony that he seized 
his faithful attendant, Lichas, and threw him into the sea. 

44. Alcides. Another name for Hercules, who was the 
son of Alceus. 

47. Worthiest. That is, my very worthy self — worthy 
in the sense of being your descendant. 

Scene XIII. 

2. Telamon. Thetis, the mother of Achilles, had prom- 
ised a suit of armor to the bravest of the Greeks who were 
besieging Troy. In the contest for it, Ajax, son of Telamon, 
was defeated by Ulysses, and slew himself in a fit of madness; 
caused by his disappointment. 

2. Thessaly. A reference to the story of MelQager, a 
Greek hero who slew a savage boar, sent by Artemis to ravage 
the kingdom of Calydon. 

3. EmhQss'd. Foaming at the mouth. 



NOTES 165 

5. Rive. The severing (rive) of soul and body is not 
more dreadful than the departure of greatness from the 
proud man. 

9. Piteously. That is, full of pathos. 

Scene XIV. 

2. Dragonish. That is, shaped like a dragon. 

8. Vesper's. Evening's. 

8. Pageants, Spectacles common at public festivals in 
which events were represented by animals and other scenery 
of wood. 

10. Rack dislimns. The vapor dissolves and floats away. 

14. Knave. Boy, fellow; not necessarily in a bad sense. 

19. Pack'd cards. To pack cards is to shuffle them un- 
fairly so that the best cards come to the dealer or to his 
partner. 

26. Die the death. That is, the death deserved by 
traitors. The same expression is used in the New Testa- 
ment. 

^^. Rendered. Rendered up, offered up. 

39. Battery from my heart. The sevenfold shield of Ajax 
cannot confine the beatings of my heart. 

40. Continent. What contains thee. 

46. Length. That is, all lengthening of life. 
49. Seal. Complete the work. SeaHng a legal document 
was the final act that completed it. 

52. Port. Demeanor. 

53. Dido. The Queen of Carthage, who fell in love with 
iEneas, a fugitive from Troy, when he landed in her kingdom, 
and who put an end to her Hfe when he took his departure. 
Virgil represents her as avoiding ^Eneas in Hades. 

53. Troops. That is, troops of attendants. 

58. Neptune. God of the sea. 

60. Less noble mind. That is, I, possessing a less noble 

mind, etc. 

63. Exigent. The moment for immediate action. 

65. ProsectUion. Used in its literal meaning of "pur- 
suit." 

68. Defeatist. Disappointed of his prey. 

72. Windowed. Stand at a window. 

73. Pleach'd. Folded. 

74. Corrigible. Submissive. 

75. Penetrative, To pain which had pentrated deeply. 



i66 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

77. Ensued, Branded more deeply with disgrace the one 
who followed. 

80. Useful. Here, an adverb. 

S^. Precedent. Former. 

89. Why. For which. 

98. Got upon me. Literally, got ahead of m_e in making 
a noble record, forestalled me in making a noble ending. 

107. Period. End. 

113. Enter me. Recommend me to his favor. 

117. Sufficing. That is, strokes sufficient to cause death. 

122. Found. That is, found to be true. 

123. Disposed. Made terms with. 
136. To gruce. By gracing it. 



Scene XV. 

10. Great sphere. The sun would then fall from his place 
and the earth become dark. 

10. Darkling. In the dark. 

19. Importunate. Beg him to delay. 

21. Dare not. That is, dare not come down from the 
monument. 

23. Imperious. Triumphal entry into Rome. 

25. Broached. Adorned as with a brooch or large pin. 

28. Still conclusion. Her quietly disdainful way of ob- 
serving and drawing conclusions. 

29. Demur ing. Looking demurely. 

32. Sport. Said, of course, with pathetic and bitter 
irony. 

33. Heaviness. A play upon the word, both literally 
and in the figurative sense of '* sorrow." 

35. Mercury. The messenger of the gods. 
39, Quicken. Revive, make alive. 

43. High. Violently. 

44. Housewife. Housewife was often used as a term of 
contempt. 

59. WooH. Wouldest thou. 

64. Garland. He who was the glory of war. 

65. Pole. The one about whom they rally. Shake- 
speare was probably thinking of the pole decked with 
garlands about which village festivities were held. 

66. Odds. The favor of fortune. 

67. Remarkable. In Shakespeare's day this word was 



NOTES 167 

stronger than it is now, and meant something singular and 
impressive. 

75. Chares, Drudgery. Compare the modern word 
"chores." 

76. Injurious. Working injury, malignant. 

78. Naught. Worthless, of no use. 

79. Sottish. Stupid. 

85. Sirs. We find this word applied to women in 
Beaumont and Fletcher also. 
91, Briefest. Quickest. 



ACT V. 

Scene I. 

2. Frustrate, Frustrated, worsted. 

3. Pauses. His hesitation is a mere farce. 

5. Thus. With Antony's drawn and bloody sword. 

16. Civil. That is, so great a shock should have rent 
the world and shaken lions out of their dens into the streets 
of the town. 

18. Single. Not the doom of Antony only. 

19. Moiety. Half. 

21. Self. That is, self same. 

27. But it is. That is, if this news be not. 

30. Persisted. Those deeds which we have persisted 
most to do. 

31. Waged. That is, his good and bad qualities were 
equally balanced, like the stakes in a wager. 

32. Steer. Control a human being. 
37. Perforce. Necessarily. 

39. Stall. Dwell side by side. 

43. In top of all design. That is, my rival in loftiness of 
purpose and endeavor. 

46. His. Its. That is, Caesar's heart. 

48. Equalness. That is, should cause us, who started 
out equal in fortune, to come to such different ends. 

49. Meeter. More fitting. 

50. Looks out of him. That is, shows in his looks. 

52. Yet. The force of this word is a matter of conjecture. 
Probably the meaning is "Still an Egyptian, even though 
conquered by Rome." 



i68 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

59. Live. That is, however long he lives, he cannot be 
ungentle. 

66. Eternal. That is, to have her aUve in Rome would 
be an eternal triumph. 

74. Hardly. Reluctantly, only on the greatest provoca- 
tion. 

76. Writings, That is, letters. 

Scene II. 

3. Knave. Servant. 

5. That thing. That is, commit suicide. 

6. Shackles. Prevents accidents and changes of fortune 
from touching us. 

7. Which sleeps. Which causes sleep. 

7. Palates. Makes it unnecessary to taste. 

8. Beggar^ s nurse. That is, life, the nourisher of rich and 
poor alike. 

10. Study. Carefully consider. 
17. Decorum. To do what is becoming for it. 
20. As I, etc. For which I will kneel to him with 
thanks. 

26. Dependency. That you acknowledge yourself de- 
pendent on him. 

27. Pray in aid. That is, will be glad to add kindness 
to clemency. Pray in aid is a law term signifying a petition 
made in court for calling in help from another who has an 
interest in the case. 

29. Vassal. Slave. 

29. Send him. That is, send him the submission he has 
conquered. 

31. Doctrine. Lesson. 

42. Languish. Disease, suffering. 

45. Acted. Displayed. 

48. Worth, etc. That is, who is worth more than the 
babes and beggars you are so ready to take. 

48. Temperance. Control yourself. 

50. // idle talk. The meaning is not quite clear. Per- 
haps it is "Even if idle talk be necessary to keep me awake, 
I'll not sleep neither." 

56. Varletry. Rabble. 

59. Nak^d. Pronounced as one syllable. 

61. Pyr amides. The Latin form of the plural is some- 
times used, as here, for the sake of the metre. 



NOTES 169 

67. To my gtcard. I will take charge of her. 
70. Employ. Use me as your messenger. 
81. O. A common term for a sphere. 

83. Crested. Made a crest for the world. A raised arm 
was often used as a family crest or coat-of-arms. 

S^. Propertied. Endowed with the qualities, etc. 

84. Tuned. According to the philosopher, Pythagoras, 
the spheres made music as they moved through space. 

85. Quail. That is, causes the world to quail. 
^d>. Grew. Yielded more the more it was reaped. 

89. Dolphin4ike. That is, in his delights he was like the 
dolphin, that leap out of the water in their gambols. 

91. Crownets. Coronets, the insignia of noblemen. 
That is, he had kings and nobles for his servants. 

92. Plates. Silver coins, so called because they were flat. 
95. Hearing. That is, your lie is so great it reaches the 

ears of the gods. 

98. Vie. Rival. That is, nature cannot produce forms 
so strange as those of fancy. 

99. Piece. Masterpiece. Yet, were nature to conceive 
an Antony, it would be a masterpiece with which imagination 
could not vie. 

102. Weight. With a fortitude as great as is the burden. 

103. Purstced. Coveted. 

103. But I do feel. If I do not feel. 

120. Sole sir. Sole master. 

121. Project. Shape my case, plead it. 

122. To make. As to make. 

123. Like, etc. Like followed by "which" is equivalent 
to our "such" followed by "as." 

125. Enforce. Lay stress upon, exaggerate. 

126. Apply. Adapt yourself to our purposes. 

135. Scutcheons. Symbols of conquest. Literally, a 
shield on which was painted the coat-of-arms of a family. 

138. Brief. Brief account, list. 

140. Not petty things, etc. That is, a few trifling things 
excepted. 

154. Wild. Mad. 

155. Goest thou hack. This phrase is used in a double 
sense to signify that Seleucus retreats before her as she is 
about to strike him, and also that he has deserted her. 

161. Lordliness. Honoring by their lordly presence. 

162. Meek. Humbled by misfortune. 

163. Parcel. Item. That is, add the item of his malice 
(envy) to the sum of my disgraces. 



I70 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA 

1 66. Immoment, Of no moment, unimportant. 

167. Modern. Ordinary. 

169. Livia. Caesar's wife. 

170. Unfolded. Exposed by. 

172. Cinders. The smouldering embers. 

173. Chance. Fortune. 

176. Misthought. Misjudged. 

178. Merits, That is, we pay the penalties which are the 
deserts of others. 

185. Make not your thoughts. That is, do not make 
yourself a prisoner in imagination when really you are free. 

186. Dispose you. Dispose of you. 

191. Words me. Cajoles or flatters me with words. 
193. Finish. Make haste to die. 
196. Put it to the haste. Make utmost haste. 
199. Makes religion. Makes as binding as a religious 
obligation. 

209. Mechanic slave. Artisans. 

212. Rank of. Rank with. 

213. Vapor. Breath. 

214. Lictors. Officers, something like police who at- 
tended on magistrates, to clear the road, inflict punishment 
on criminals, etc. 

215. Scald. Literally, scurvy, aflSicted with an eruption 
of the skin. 

216. Ballad. Sing ballads in mockery of us. 

216. Quick. Quick-witted. 

217. Extemporally. Extemporaneously. 
217. Present. Represent. 

220. Boy. The female parts in a play were taken by 
boys in the time of Shakespeare. 

225. Conquer. Upset, bring to nothing. 

227. Show. Attire me like a queen. 

228. Cydnus. I will imagine that I am again going to 
set sail for Cydnus. 

229. Sirrah. See former note on this form of address. 

230. Despatch. Make haste. 

231. Chare. Task. 

236. What poor an instrument. The article in Shake- 
speare is not infrequently placed after instead of before the 
adjective. 

238. Placed. Fixed, determined. 

240. Marble-constant. That is, as firm and hard as 
marble. 

242. Avoid. Depart. 



NOTES 171 

243. Worm. Shakespeare often uses this word for 
"snake." 

247. Im ortal. Causes death. 

257. Fallible. Infallible, sure. 

263. Do his kind. That is, act as nature impels it. 

281. Immortal. Longings for death. 

283. Yare. Quick. 

289. Fire and air. The old belief was that man was 
composed of the four elements, fire and air, earth and water, 
the latter being the baser. 

293. Aspic. The poison of the asp. Iras has already 
secretly applied the snake to herself. 

294. Nature. Life. 

301. Curled. That is, nobly attired. 

302. Make demand. Inquire concerning me. 

303. Mortal. Deadly, giving death. 

304. Intrinsicate. Intricate, hard to loose. 
308. Unpolicied. Without policy, stupid. 

314. Vile. The folios have "wild," which many editors 
retain. 

316. Lass. Used as a term of endearment for a young 
girl, generally. 

316. Windows. Eyelids soft as dov/n. 

318. Of. By. 

319. Mend. Set it right. 

319. Play. Compare Cleopatra's words above, "I'll give 
thee leave to play till doomsday." 

323. Beguiled. Deceived. 

330. Tou^h their effects. Your thoughts, or anticipations, 
are realized. 

^^^. Augur er. You foresee too truly. 

335. LeveVd. Guessed. 

346. As she. As if she. 

347. Toil. In the fascinations of her graces. 

348. Vent. A slight flow. 

348. Blown. Somewhat swollen. 
350. Aspic^s trail. The mark left by an asp. 
352. Caves. Some editors think this word should be 
"canes" or "reeds." 

354. Conclusions. Experiments without number. 

358. Clip. Hold, enclose. 

359. High events. Such high events have their effect on 
those who bring them to pass. 

365. High order. Fitting ceremony. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



mh^ii 1909 




IRVING. History of New York.^ Vol. I. 
History of New York. Vol. II. 
Sketch Book. Part I. 
Sketch Book. Part II. 
Tales of a Traveller. Parts I. and II. 
Tales of a Traveller. Parts III. and IV. 

JOHNSON. Rasselas, the Prince of Abyssinia.' 
Lives of the Poets. 
Addison, Savage, Swift. 
Gay, Thompson, Young, GRAY,*etc. 
Waller, Milton, Cowley, 
Prior, Congreve, Blackmore, Pope. 
Butler, Denham, Dryden, Roscommon, 
etc. 

LONGFELLOW. Hiawatha. 
Evangeline. 

Courtship of Miles Standish. 
Tales of a Wayside Inn. 

LOWELL. Vision of Sir Launfal. 

LAMB. Essays of Eli a. 

Tales from Shakespeare. Vol. L 
Tales from Shakespeare. Vol. IL 

MACAU LAY. Life of Johnson. 
Life of Goldsmith. 
Essay on Milton. 
Essay on Addison. 
Francis Bacon. 
Warren Hastings. 
Lays of Ancient Rome. 

t MULOCK. Little Lame Prince. 

MILTON. Paradise Lost. Books L and IL 
Minor Poems. 

MITCHELL. Reveries of a Bachelor. 

i PLUTARCH'S LIVES. 

^ Alexander the Great and Jultos Caesar^ 

Pericles, Cicero, etc. 
Alcibiades and Coriolanus, Aristides, etc 
Agesilaus, Pompey and Phocion. 

FOE. Raven and Other Poems. 
Tales. 



POPE. Rape of the Lock. _ 

Translation of xhx Iuaix 
Poems. . 
Essay on Man. 

RUSKIN. King of the Goldbk Rivbe. 

Sesame and Lilies. 
SHAKESPEARE Macbeth. 
Merchant of Venick. 
Twelfth Night. 
Henry VIII. 

The Tempest. f 

Midsummer Night's Drsail ' 

As You Like It. < 

Julius Caesar, | 

Hamlet. \ 

King John. i 

King Richard XL J 

Coriolanus. J 

King Henry V. ^ f 

King Lear. 
Cymbeline. 
King Richard III. 
Othello. 
RviMEO and Juliet. 

SOU THEY. Life of Nelson. 

• SEWELL. Black Beauty. 

J SCOTT. Marmion. 

T Lay of the Last Minstrel. 

^ Lady of the Lake. 

^ STEELE. Isaac Bickerstaff, Physician and Astiologsr. 

T SWIFT. Gulliver's Travels. Voyage to Lilliput 
4k Gulliver Among the Giants. 

% SPENSER. The Faery Queene. Book I., Vol. I. 
J5 The Faery Queene. Book I., Vol, IL 

% TENNYSON. The Princess. 

Idylls of the King. I 

Idylls of the King. II. 

Enoch Arden. 

WHITE. Natural History of Selbornk. L 
Natural History of Selborne. II. 

i^' WEBSTER. Bunker Hill Orations. 



